Last night had to be amazing for Francisco Cervelli. What a year this kid has had! Being called up because of the injuries to Posada and Molina and playing his butt off during his time in the Majors. A solid fielder and calls a great game. People forget that it was him behind the plate for C.C.'s 4-hit shut out against the Orioles. And he is not nearly the liability that Molina is at the plate. He is always busting it down the line every time he makes contact whether it is a hit to the outfield or a grounder. It was very sad to see him get demoted once Molina was healthy again.
But now he is back with the expansion of the rosters and after last night's walk-off single that helped the Yankees to a 5-4 win over Toronto, I think that he should start the next two games that Posada is suspended and should be on the playoff roster instead of Molina. Last night he showed that he is not afraid of the big moment and that he can actually produce in that situation, two characteristics that are essential for any player to succeed while wearing the Yankee pinstripes. Once the playoffs begin, you techincally only need one catcher but I believe that you have to have one on the bench in case of an injury or anything kind of emergency. Most people when it comes to the playoffs would rather go with experience than youth in the post-season but this year I feel differently. Cervelli adds a dimension that Molina does not have, speed. And with Yankees almost certainly detined to matchup against either the Angels or the Red Sox, you need those guys on the bench that can create havoc on the base paths.
I think it would be for the best of Cervelli and the Yankee organization to give this kid a taste of the post-season now, you know by his play that he will appreciate it. Let him get a chance to play under the ultimate spotlight of October. And then next season you have Posada take him under his wing for the year and groom him to be a Yankee catcher of the future. It starts with letting him play in October.
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