Posada Wants to Stay With Yankees

Catcher Says His Heart is With the Bronx Bombers

Nov 12, 2007 James Lincoln Ray

Jorge Posada says he wants to stay with the New York Yankees.

Jorge Posada announced this weekend that he prefers to stay with the New York Yankees and believes he is very close to reaching a new deal with the team.

"My first priority is the Yankees," the catcher told reporters on Sunday at halftime of the New York Knicks game against the Miami Heat. "I would like to stay with the Yankees. My heart is with the Yankees, so hopefully we can get something done."

Posada Has Played his Entire Career in New York

Posada has played his entire 12-year career in the Bronx. Since the turn of the new century, the 36-year old catcher has hit more home runs and picked up more RBI than any other catcher in baseball. Posada had his best offensive season in 2007, a year in which he batted .338 with 20 home runs and 90 RBI. Posada has also developed into one of the best defensive catchers in the game.

The Yankees' right to negotiate exclusively with Posada ends on Tuesday, November 13, when free agents can talk money with all teams. "We're working with the Yankees," Posada said. "Right now it's up in the air, but the chances are good."

According to recent reports, the Yankees offered Posada a three-year deal worth approximately $40 million. Sources close to the situation have reported that Posada likes the annual dollar average of the offer but wants a fourth year in the deal.

Posada Expresses His Support for New Manager Joe Girardi

Posada also voiced his support for new manager Joe Girardi, who recently replaced 12-year manager Joe Torre at the helm. Girardi was the Yankees starting catcher during Posada's early years, and is often credited with tutoring Posada and teaching him the finer points of the game. "I love Joe," Posada said. "He's been like a big brother to me since '96, so I'm really hopefully looking forward to working with him."

This should come as a relief to Yankee fans, who have been concerned that Posada might go west to play for the Los Angeles Dodgers and the only Major League manager that he has ever known.

Jorge Posada Career Highlights

Five-Time American League All Star (2000-2003, 2007)

Five-Time Silver Slugger Award Winner (2000-2003, 2007)

Four-Time World Series Champion (1996, 1998-2000)

Career Batting Average: .277 (hit career best .338 in 2007)

Career On Base Percentage: .381 (career high of .426 in 2007)

Career Home Runs: 212 (career high of 31 in 2003)

Career RBI: 861 (career best of 101 in 2003)

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