“It would be really tough to look somewhere else,” Posada told the media. “If I want to play, I want to stay here.”

Unless Posada puts up big numbers at the plate, and I mean really big numbers, I don’t foresee the Yankees bringing him back for 2012. Even if he were to exceed expectations and hit extremely well, I still don’t like the chances of the Yankees asking him to return. It just doesn’t make sense for the Yankees. Hopefully Posada decides to retire and doesn’t have to go through a similar situation that Bernie Williams went through at the end of his career.

Sometimes it’s better to walk away from the game on your own terms.

According to IMDb, Billy Beane is played by Brad Pitt, Peter Brand (really Paul DePodesta) is played by Jonah Hill, Art Howe is played by Philip Seymour Hoffman, and…

Jorge Posada is played by Sergio Garcia (pictured below).

Can’t wait to see how Garcia does!

Face to face, Brian Cashman informed Jorge Posada he will be the Yankees designated hitter next season, The Post has learned.

Cashman met with Posada in Manhattan this week to tell the veteran to, as usual, prepare to catch, but the team’s first option is to have youngsters Jesus Montero, Francisco Cervelli and Austin Romine compete in spring training for the two primary jobs.

It is quite a risk to team an expensive, mostly veteran staff with such inexperienced catchers. But it is indicative of how much the Yankees believe Posada’s defensive game has slipped in all areas.

…

According to a source with knowledge of the conversation, Posada was fine with the message that turns the 39-year-old switch-hitter into primarily a DH, a role he has struggled with and has shown no affinity for previously.

I’m glad the Yankees made this decision now instead of waiting until Spring Training to do it. I don’t know how much I believe that Posada is “fine” with the decision, but maybe it’s him coming to the realization that he really isn’t the best option behind the plate anymore. Also, maybe by becoming the DH now it could help him extend his career another year if he shows the Yankees he can hit well as the team’s DH in the final year of his contract. The starting catcher’s spot is Jesus Montero’s to lose right now.

Top Prospect Alert, a Minor League Baseball blog, gives an in-depth look at Romine:

“While Jesus Montero and J.R. Murphy are getting most of the press at the catcher position, Austin Romine continues to fly under the radar for the New York Yankees despite being a Top 5 Prospect in the organization. After a breakout 2009 and a solid start to 2010, the 21-year-old is establishing himself as the catching prospect to watch in the Yankees organization. Always heralded as a solid defensive catcher, Romine has begun to display a stick. Through 44 games for Double-A Trenton, the Lake Forest, California product is hitting .313, with 17 Doubles and 3 Home Runs. This builds on a Florida State League MVP season in 2009 in which Romine hit .276 with 28 Doubles, 3 Triples and 13 Home Runs.”

Like I said before, the Yankees have a plethora of catching in the organization. Montero is the slugger and Romine is the human backstop, but the two get bunched together in most conversations because they both are top prospects and project to be big leaguers within a few years.

Jessica Quiroli, a freelance MLB and MiLB writer, says:

“The most striking thing about Austin is his ability to handle the attention he’s receiving. He doesn’t view the “competition” between him and Jesus Montero as a competition at all. He is incredibly focused and humble. But he’s also extremely confident in his defensive ability. He can do so many things as a hitter. He’s more of a free swinger, but he’s quickly gaining more plate discipline, and drawing more walks.”

As for Romine being the Yankees catcher of the future, it’s uncertain right now which direction the team will go in. Posada won’t be catching too much longer and Cervelli has done an excellent job behind the plate. It’s also uncertain if the Yankees have plans to eventually put Jesus Montero at a different position. The corner infield positions are taken on the big league level, which basically leaves only the corner outfield spots as possibilities for Montero.

Top Prospect Alert goes on to say,

“With Montero ahead of him on the depth chart, the future remains uncertain for Romine. However, if he continues to hit, there are two likely scenarios. The first would be the Yankees moving Montero out from behind the plate to clear the way for Romine to catch at the big league level. The second would see Romine as the key part to any high profile trade the Yankees may be a part of later this season. Either way Romine projects to be in a major league ballpark at some point during the 2011 season.”

We can look two or three years down the road and make projections all we want, but Romine is working on his tools and honing is skills in Double-A Trenton right now to make himself better and get prepared, hoping that he’ll get his turn to showcase his skills on the big league level whether that be in the Bronx or not.

But for Yankee fans, these players, and their eras of dominance, are a spoil of immense riches.  Unlike other franchises, it seems the Yankees have a dynasty for every generation since Ban Johnson moved the franchise to New York from Baltimore in 1903.  Our Grandparents had Joe Dimaggio. Our Parents speak about Mickey Mantle as if he was a God.  And let’s be honest, he was.  And now, it is our generation’s turn to witness greatness.  If you’re like me, heading toward your mid 30s, these current Yankee teams of the last 14 years embody the prowess and glory of the legendary teams that have come before them.

What began in 1996, and has been carried through 2009, is nothing short of Baseball Majesty.  The names roll off of your tongue as if they already belong among those who are enshrined behind them in Monument Park.  Jeter, Posada, Pettitte, Rivera.  Their names are royalty.  And as time marches on, with each passing game, their status as legend becomes further entrenched in the most hallowed annals of Yankee Lore.

Already known for their postseason successes and World Series Victories, their status as Yankee Legend began to take physical shape in the twilight of Old Yankee Stadium’s waning days.  On a Mid-September night in 2008, Derek Jeter passed Lou Gehrig for most hits ever at Yankee Stadium, a record that will now stand for all time.

And that was only the beginning.  In late June of 2009, across The Triboro Bridge in Flushing Meadows, Mariano Rivera earned his 500th save, joining Trevor Hoffman as the only two players to reach that plateau.  Then, in September of 2009, Derek Jeter passed Lou Gehrig once more.  This time as the Yankees all time hits leader.

Known more for his quiet reserve, Andy Pettitte has worked his way into some elite company too.  His 194 wins are good for third on the Yankees all time list.  And, when his career is over he will be only the third Yankee to win 200 games.

Pettitte’s long time battery mate might be the least celebrated of the “Core Four”.  But Jorge Posada is among some of the greatest Yankees when it comes to bawdy offensive numbers.  Posada currently ranks eighth on the Yankees all time Home Run list, 4 shy of Graig Nettles.  Though he may be passed by Alex Rodriguez shortly after he passes Nettles.  Still, the names ahead of him are more than noteworthy, including the eternal Yogi Berra.

I say all of this to impress upon you to not take for granted what you are seeing.  Baseball is a long season, and in the daily grind of the game, it’s easy to overlook just how significant these players are.  So cherish each at-bat, each peer over the glove, every cutter.  Because one day, when your children talk about how great player “X” is.  It’ll be your responsibility to tell them about the Legend of The Core Fore and the Dynasty that they presided over.  And to add an exclamation point to your tutelage; you can take them to Monument Park to see the plaques.

-Mike Tursi

*Note* Obviously Bernie Williams & Alex Rodriguez deserve to be mentioned here.  But I wanted to pay homage to the select fraternity that has 1) Been here from the beginning and 2) Is still active, Bernie Williams history already has bookends.