Memo to A.J. Burnett - "Just throw the pitch you want."

One of the questions on the minds of baseball fans going into this post season is what’s Joe Girardi going to do about Jorge Posada when A.J. Burnett pitches?

There is no secret to the fact that Burnett would prefer to pitch to Jose Molina. But Jose doesn't hit like his older brother Bengie, or even his younger brother Yadier for that matter.

Should a manager let a player dictate his lineup? And if he does, what does he do if C.C. Sabathia says he wants Molina too? Or anyone else for that matter? What if Mariano Rivera wanted to pitch to Molina? Would they have to change catchers along with changing relievers when Mariano came in?

Batters hit .221 against Burnett in 11 starts caught by Molina compared with .270 in 16 starts caught by Posada. Opponents' slugging percentage was .352 with Molina compared with .421 with Posada.

But it’s not like Burnett can’t be successful with Posada. On Aug. 7 I sat in Yankee Stadium and watched what arguably was the righthander's best outing this season. He held the Red Sox to one hit in 7 2/3 innings.  Posada's behind was behind the plate.

Jose Molina caught A.J. Burnett this past Sunday against the Rays, not a surprise in that Jorge Posada rarely caught day games after night games this season, but it was the sixth straight start in which Molina caught Burnett.

Going back to 2000, John Flaherty, Randy Johnson's personal catcher in 2005, is the only other Yankees catcher besides Posada to start a postseason game.

Molina hit just .217 this season with a .292 on-base percentage and .268 slugging percentage to Posada's .285-. 363-. 522. It probably also would mean that Hideki Matsui (28 homers, 90 RBIs) would sit as Posada would be the designated hitter.

Here’s the way I see it. It seems pretty simple to me. Posada should catch, he should put down his fingers for the pitch he wants thrown. If Burnett wants to throw something else, he shakes him off and throws the pitch that he wants. Problem solved. Doing anything else sounds silly.

Girardi was a catcher very much in the player mold of Molina. He understands who it works. In fact, it was Girardi who stepped aside as Yankees catcher to let Posada have the wonder career that he's had.- Mike Gross

Michael Gross, in conjunction with a prominent sports agency runs a strength, conditioning and agility program that many agents send their “to-be-drafted” athletes, prior to being drafted. Many pro athletes have also used the facilities for rehabilitation after injury. Over 90 professional athletes including current MLB ball players have attended his institution during the past 3 years.

----------

Have a Fantasy Football or Rotisserie Baseball question? Want to know who to pick up, who to activate and who the hot prospects are? Ask Dr. Roto. Let Dr. Roto guide your team to a league championship!