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How about the Sox signing Posada, who I think is a FA after this year? That would be a nice kick in the groin to the Yankees...
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How would that work? Would we let Lowell walk, move Youkilis to third base, and rotate Varitek, Mirabelli and Posada between catcher and first base?
I love that idea! Posada would certainly be cheaper than A-Rod and acquiring him would also provide that kick in the groin that I desperately want to give to the Yankees. Posada could catch one of our five pitchers and play first base on the other four days, Mirabelli could continue catching Wakefield, and Varitek could catch the remaining three starters and come off the bench in the other two games (this would reduce his catching load and also give us an extra catcher which opens up additional pinch-running and pinch-hitting opportunities in the late innings of games.) I'd have Varitek catch Lester, Schilling and Beckett (5, 1 and 2 starters.) I'd have Posada catch Matsuzaka (who doesn't seem to be on the same page as Varitek anyway.) Mirabelli would catch Wakefield. We could re-sign Hinske and let him start at first base on the day Posada catches, which would give him starts in at least 20% of our games. If we offered Posada 4 years/$44 million, I think he'd take it. He's a very underrated player and would be quite a coup. Just once in our existence as a franchise I want to nab a key Yankees player while he's still productive. They've done it to us so many times that I've lost count.
Unfortunately, I think Posada is the least likely of the current Yankees to flee the Bronx this off-season. New York doesn't have any catching in its system and I doubt the Yankees would prefer LoDuca or Kendall to Posada. They might like I-Rod but loyalty would probably have them bring back Posada.
I think it's more likely that A-Rod opts out and signs elsewhere, and that Mariano Rivera finds a team that's willing to guarantee him 3+ years. The Red Sox might even revisit Papelbon as a starter and decide to pursue Rivera themselves, or maybe he would end up with a team like the Cubs who seem willing to spend money and could use an upgrade at closer.