Help Wanted: Backup Catcher Under 90

As I pour over the daily transactions online, I see that once again the Yankees have dipped into the senior circuit for a possible backup catcher. No, I don't mean a player with the National League experience. The Yankees signed 40-year old Todd Pratt to a minor league contract and invited him to Spring Training. Pratt will join journeymen Raul Chavez (33), Wil Nieves (29),and Ben Davis (29) to vie for a spot as starter Jorge Posada's caddy.




Todd Pratt - the next John Flaherty?





Over the past 5 seasons, the Yankees have seen the likes of John Flaherty, Kelly Stinnett, Sal Fasano (really should be "Fatsano"), Chris Widger, and Alberto Castillo. Since Posada was groomed under veteran Joe Girardi in the late '90s, the
Yankees have not had a catcher at the ready who can both hit and play defense. It remains to be seen whether or not Dionner Navaro could have filled that bill, but of course since the ill-advised Randy Johnson deal, that's no longer a Yankee concern. Instead the trend continues with slow, barely field, barely hit backups.









Jesus Montero - contract or homework?








26-year old Omar Santos will probably start the season at Triple-A Scranton (yes, I did start to type Columbus), but could at least be a bridge until 16-year old propsect Jesus Montero is ready to step in. That could be a while though since the 6'3, 220 lb rookie will just starting play at the Gulf Coast level this season.

In the meantime, maybe they can dig up Bill Dickey.