A.J Burnett’s detractors probably feel the way Jorge Posada feels about being bumped out of the starting catcher’s spot for Game 2 of the ALDS: they could see it coming.
New York Yankees manager Joe Girardi confirmed Tuesday that Jose Molina will catch Burnett in the second game of the ALDS (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/playoffs/2009/news/story?id=4537038)because Burnett and Posada – part of the Yankees holy trinity along with Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera – had difficulty working together during the regular-season.
The difference in Burnett’s numbers with Posada and Molina are telling. One scout told me last month that the biggest issue he saw was not just the pitch calling between the two but than the fact Posada had difficulty handling the movement on Burnett’s pitches. The scout figured Posada was costing Burnett strikes because he was jumping around the plate so much while catching Burnett.
This is the biggest start of Burnett’s career, obviously, because of his reputation for unreliability.
Meanwhile, had a thought Tuesday night while watching the Minnesota Twins and Detroit Tigers settle the AL Central Division. Could Orlando Cabrera end up with the Toronto Blue Jays? I’ve been on this hobby-horse for a while but Alex Anthopoulos, the new Blue Jays G.M., knows Cabrera from their time in Montreal. So does Tony LaCava, who is still with the Blue Jays.
Remember during spring training when the Blue Jays tried to get “creative” and swing what amounted to a sign-and-trade deal with the Chicago White Sox for Cabrera, who was still a free-agent? Guess who the point man was on that deal? Anthopoulos. Cabrera signed with the Oakland Athletics and was traded to the Twins and my guess is he’ll be part of the picture here if Marco Scutaro goes elsewhere. His range isn’t what it used to be but he can handle turf – and he’s a winner.
