Life After Jorge Posada

Jorge Posada has been a staple in three Yankee championships and has been the most productive and consistent catcher over the past decade. But he's 35 years old and won't be around forever. Looking through the Yankees farm system, the most attractive option to replace Posada is Jesus Montero, who is 16 years old. He was signed out of Venezuela and has 80 power on a 20-80 scale, which means he has the potential to hit 40+ home runs at the major league level. There's no doubt that this kid can and will hit, but the Yankees question whether he'll even be a catcher when he breaks into the Major Leagues. He's 6'3 and 220 pounds, big for a catcher (and he's not done growing at 16). More than likely he'll end up playing first base.

So after Montero, the Yankees are frighteningly thin at the catcher position. So here's my solution. Make a deal with Atlanta. The Braves have both Brian McCann and Jarrod Saltalamacchia behind the plate and in the majors. McCann is 23, Saltalamacchia, 22. McCann just signed a big deal to be the starting catcher for at least the next four or five years, effectively blocking Saltalamacchia. Instead of playing revolving positions with Saltalamacchia and Scott Thorman, talk up the Yankees. The Braves just traded disappointing outfielders Ryan Langerhans and have a hole in left field. The Yankees just happen to have an extra left fielder in Melky Cabrera. So my proposition to Brian Cashman: package Melky Cabrera with a minor league arm or two (Claggert and Veras) and bring in Saltalamacchia. The Yankees have enough outfielders that can fill in for the regulars, but next to no catchers. The Braves have a surplus of young catching and a void in left field. Seems to be a match.