Should Yankees Consider Jesus?

by hallofamer2000 on Aug 11, 2025 4:28 PM EDT

It really looks like Jorge Posada's career as catcher is done. He's still for the most part a productive hitter, but he just cannot catch anymore.

And furthermore, Francisco Cervelli's early production seems like it was a fluke. His OPS is now down to .642 and his defensive skills have been terrible as well.

The Yankees are basically a lock to make the playoffs. Would it be a good idea to call up Jesus Montero for the last two months and the playoffs, as the starting catcher?

After a sub-.700 OPS April and May, he has had OPS of .829 in June, 1.072 in July, and so far in August he has a OPS of 1.363.

So what do you think?

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Read More: Francisco Cervelli (C - NYY), Jorge Posada (DH - NYY), Jesus Montero (DH - SEA), New York Yankees

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Nope

There is no need to call up Montero. The Yankees are going to score a lot of runs with their lineup. I would just continue to go with Posada and Cervelli and let Montero work through the growing pains of the minor leagues.

by King Billy Royal on Aug 11, 2025 4:38 PM EDT reply actions

If you're worried about Posada's defense Montero won't be an upgrade

by FI2 on Aug 11, 2025 4:44 PM EDT reply actions

+1

Posada now is still better than Montero

"Hitting the ball was easy. Running around the bases was the tough part."- Micky Mantle

by TwoEyesForAnEye on Aug 11, 2025 4:55 PM EDT up reply actions

Should the Yankees tank this season where they already have the best record in baseball...

…in an effort to see if they have their catcher of the future (when they’re already well aware they almost certainly do not?).

Sure. Why not?

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by alskor on Aug 11, 2025 4:49 PM EDT reply actions

How the hell?

Is putting in Jesus tanking?

http://yankeesmtom.blogspot.com/

by hallofamer2000 on Aug 11, 2025 5:27 PM EDT up reply actions

yeah

that’s a bit excessive al…

I know that I represent the shrinking minority around here that believe Jesus can be an around league avr catcher in the future, but now probably isn’t the time to give him big-league reps [at least at catcher]…I liked the Yanks aggressively promoting him to AAA to start the year [as the youngest player in AAA to begin the year], and I am very happy they sat back and let him develop all year. I think he will benefit most from getting reps and daily instruction in AAA, and throughout the off-season leagues/programs. Then let him compete for a job next spring, with the idea of giving him a couple starts a week at catcher and the others at DH.

by St.Steve on Aug 11, 2025 5:40 PM EDT up reply actions

Handing the starting catcher job to a 20 year old poor defensive catcher in the middle of the pennant race?

That’s a f***ing terrible idea. Flat out. He could struggle at the plate just because he’s a rookie and no one would be surprised. There is typically an adjustment period for young players breaking into the majors. That adjustment period could really hurt the Yankees and cost them the division.

Not to mention the effects his defense and game calling will have on the pitching staff, or the effects his crappy throwing arm will have on controlling the running game.

I would assume they were tanking if they did this because there is simply no justification for a team in a tight pennant race to do something so suicidal.

You don’t break in young players down the stretch of tight pennant races, nevermind ones with big defensive question marks at crucial defensive positions like Montero. Its foolish to rely on young players to come through and twice as foolish when every run and game matters like it does right now. Literally nothing good could come of making this move, and I haven’t even dealt with the negative effects on Montero’s development and confidence if/when he struggles (both offensively and defensively).

And are you people aware he has allowed 85 stolen bases this season with 26 CS with 14 passed balls??? everybody and their grandmother runs against him and he’s not good at stopping them. There’s a good chance he’s never going to be an acceptable catcher, nevermind right now. Adam Donachie has allowed 66 and Flowers was in the 50s with a couple other guys, but 85 is by far the most allowed. Montero is still terrible defensively.

Honestly, I’m probably understating this. The idea is complete suicide… except they’d quite obviously abandon it within a few days.

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by alskor on Aug 11, 2025 5:54 PM EDT up reply actions

The effect on the pitching staff would probably by far be the greatest

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by Brickhaus on Aug 11, 2025 11:18 PM EDT up reply actions

And imagine if they face running teams like the Rangers or Rays in the playoffs.

by nivarsity on Aug 12, 2025 9:44 AM EDT up reply actions

Replacing Francisco Cervelli would be tanking the season?

LOL

by nyy601 on Aug 11, 2025 6:14 PM EDT up reply actions

Depends on who you replace him with. If its a rookie who does everything much worse than Cervelli other than hit, than unequivocally, "Yes."

ROTFL SMH

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by alskor on Aug 11, 2025 6:17 PM EDT up reply actions

You act like Cervelli has a major role when Posada is healthy

No that Berkman is DHing, Cervelli is nothing more than a backup catcher.

Replacing the backup catcher (who put up a .521 OPS in June, .505 OPS in July, and .444 OPS so far in August) is tanking the season? Wow.

by nyy601 on Aug 11, 2025 6:40 PM EDT up reply actions

I'm not acting liking anything. The OP clearly states "Starting Catcher"

Would it be a good idea to call up Jesus Montero for the last two months and the playoffs, as the starting catcher?

As I said below, Montero would have a lot of use as a backup player down the stretch.

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by alskor on Aug 11, 2025 6:47 PM EDT up reply actions

A better questions is whether Montero is worth a September callup for the Yankees.

Does a team like the Yankees make significant September callups?

On a desperate search for Sunshine at Nats Park. In Rizzo and Ramos we trust.

by souldrummer on Aug 11, 2025 4:57 PM EDT reply actions

I would.

While I’m certainly against handing him the job, he has plenty of value as a spot catcher/3rd catcher and pinch hitter/DH once rosters expand. Even if you never play him in the field he can spell guys late in games and provide a potent (if inexperienced) bat off the bench.

Not to mention the value in getting his feet wet. If they envision a role for him next year let him learn how to deal with all the crap now.

He should be up once rosters expand… just not as the “starting catcher.”

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by alskor on Aug 11, 2025 5:09 PM EDT up reply actions

I don't think so.

I don’t think you call up a big-time prospect to be a backup. They should give him the time to develop, and not come up to sit on the bench for 6 or 7 innings a day. If they were thinking about him fitting into the equation in an important role, I believe they would not have gotten Berkman and brought Montero up to DH.

by soxaroundtheclock on Aug 11, 2025 9:22 PM EDT reply actions

sorry

that was meant to be a reply to alskor’s comment.

by soxaroundtheclock on Aug 11, 2025 9:22 PM EDT up reply actions

Its just for September during extended rosters.

Its not like a month (likely even less) is going to stunt his development. He would be helping the MLB team in a tight race AND he gets exposed to being a major league player. That way when you actually need him it won’t be the first time for everything.

The only downside is the SWB Yankees are in first place and you try not to do that to your affiliates, if possible. So we could be talking about just a couple weeks here.

I think its nearly a lock he’ll get a call up.

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by alskor on Aug 11, 2025 10:28 PM EDT up reply actions

He loses a couple of weeks development time, tops.

and in a way that directly benefits the major league club.

The minor league season is pretty much over in September anyway. He’d maybe lose a week or two of full time playing time by being up with the big league club.

Service time is a big argument, but these are the Yankees you are talking about, and there’s still solid likelihood that he’s traded this offseason anyway

Needs moar dingerz.

by Blicks on Aug 12, 2025 11:38 AM EDT up reply actions