WHY CERVELLI COULD BE TRADED THIS WINTER

Sure everything on the catching front really stems from whether or not the Yankees can sign Russell Martin to a multi-year deal. I don’t see it being a problem, it is clear Martin likes being in the Bronx and with Cashman being quoted last week that Martin was “Munson-like”, that may be the nicest compliment for any catcher, believe me.

The Yankees have Jesus Montero who can catch but will mainly be used because of his bat. Just a few days ago Cashman came out suggesting Montero will get 500 at bats in 2012. We also have Austin Romine who is clearly better defensively than Montero but doesn’t hit all too well. Damn… why can’t it ever be easy?

Anyway, we also have Gary Sanchez, the kid that blogs have been talking about as becoming the next big thing… including us, read HERE.

That leaves Francisco Cervelli and his fist pump out of the mix. Look, we all love Cervelli and the passion he has. I would never call out Cervelli for a fist pump or a hard hand slap as he’s rounding the bases on a home run, that’s baseball, that’s passion and the other teams have to get over it. You need a guy like that on your team and Cervelli’s that guy. But let’s face facts…there is way too much catching talent on the New York Yankees and there isn’t any room for Francisco Cervelli anymore. There is however pitching that is needed and for a while this fall I thought for sure that Francisco Cervelli would be traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates. Then, news came out of Pittsburgh that the Pirates signed catcher Rod Barajas (Read HERE). That leaves the idea of Cervelli being traded to Pittsburgh in the dark. Believe me though, a trade of Cervelli anywhere is not dead yet. A few things could happen; maybe the Pirates would still be interested in Cervelli as a backup, for instance. (In Photo: Brad Lincoln)

I remember reading HERE, that the Pirates may have been willing to swap Brad Lincoln for Cervelli. Brad Lincoln is decent, and on the Yankees, he could be more decent. This was Lincoln’s line with the Pirates last year. 4.72 ERA / 2-3 / 29 K / 47.2 IP. Anyway, it appears the Pittsburgh ship may have sailed.

There is also talk that the Angels may need a backup catcher to Chris Iannetta. Read HERE. Could Cervelli help in Los Angeles with newly acquired Albert Pujols and CJ Wilson? No doubt they can afford it. But, then you need to think bigger. With news coming out of Yankeeland that Jorge Posada would not be returning to the Yankees, and he searching for a team, what you now could have are 2 players, both Posada and Cervelli, now possibly competing for work.

The rumor is Jorge Posada is being looked at by the Baltimore Orioles who need a backup to Matt Wieters. No doubt Cervelli would be a cheaper alternative to backup than Posada, plus Posada would want some money. You also have to look at the Miami Marlins who are signing everybody. Jorge Posada would actually fit in nicely there, according to Laura Posada, plus, he’d be in the National League and in Florida, a place it is believed he would like to be. Again though, Posada will want money and Cervelli could be a trade for pitching. Why wouldn’t the Orioles and Marlins look past Posada at someone like Cervelli or would they really pay a 40 year old catcher to be a backup?And then, back to the Angels... wouldn't Los Angeles want a leader like Jorge or would they want a cheaper alternative in Francisco Cervelli.

At the end of the day, Francisco has passion that would resonate with any young ball club and not to go back to Pittsburgh again, but I was a firm believer that Pittsburgh would had been a perfect spot for Cervelli. Not only would he be pumped on the field, he could definitely take the reigns and provide leadership, leadership that hasn’t been seen in Pittsburgh since Andy Van Slyke and Willie Stargell. (In Photo: Andy Van Slyke)

Yes, Cervelli is no superstar, but he can be a positive force in that clubhouse, in any clubhouse... he can be a leader, he has the passion that rubs off on players. Now I'm just ranting.

Look, I like Francisco Cervelli and I’ll always come to the guy’s defense. He may not perform like an All-Star, but there is no doubt he’s got true heart, and believe it or not, that goes along way. I believe Cervelli’s days are numbered though and there’s no doubt in my mind that Cervelli is going somewhere, but where? That is the question. Stay tuned…

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