While the Yankees have questions in center field and the fifth spot in the rotation, GM Brian Cashman says he is more worried about the recovery of catcher Jorge Posada and closer Mariano Rivera.
“Our catcher and closer are coming off shoulder surgeries,” Cashman said. “That’s what concerns me, and that’s what people should be focused on. Posada’s just throwing at 90 feet on flat ground and Mo’s not even throwing yet.”
Posada will not be able to catch by the exhibition opener Feb. 25, Cashman said, but he is on track to be ready for the regular-season opener April 6. Rivera does not throw in January even when he is healthy, so his schedule is not alarming.
Cashman also continues to field inquiries about Nick Swisher and Xavier Nady while he prays that Matsui learns how to field - unlikely, Damon learns how to throw - impossible, and that if they're stuck with either Swisher or Nady in RF that one of them learns how to hit productively.
Nady had a better season than Swisher last year, batting .305 with 25 home runs and 97 runs batted in — all career highs. Swisher had the worst of his five seasons, hitting just .219 with 24 homers and 69 R.B.I. But Swisher’s on-base percentage, .332, was actually better than Nady’s .320 figure over his two months with the Yankees.
In that way, Swisher, sans beard, profiles better as the kind of player the Yankees seek for their lineup. He saw an average of 4.53 pitches per plate appearance last season, leading the major leagues in that category. Nady averaged 3.65 pitches per plate appearance. Among Yankees, only Robinson Canó (3.35 pitches) was worse.
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