Yankees vs. Red Sox: The Breakdown
By Joe Davis
The Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees are set to start in the AL West April 3rd. The Texas Rangers will host the Red Sox while the Oakland Athletics host the Yankees. The two will face off for the first time in the 2006 regular season on May 1st at Fenway in a two-game series. The division rivals will face each other eight times in May.
Who has the edge? I will give my opinion for each position every day (with the five potential starting pitchers coming on separate days) Then I will give a chance to you, the readers, to give the best counterpoint if you believe otherwise. I will then add your entry to the entry. So without further ado, I give you the 2006 Red Sox vs. Yankees catcher breakdown.
Catcher:
Jorge Posada (NYY) - Posada is getting old (35 in August), and it is showing in his offensive numbers. 2005 brought his worst batting statistics since 1999. From 2000 to 2003, he was the best offensive catcher, hands down. He took the Silver Slugger for catcher in those four years. A hot start in 2004 brought high hopes from New York that he was still getting better, however, his numbers have steadily declined. He has cut down on his strikeouts, from 142 in 2002 to 94 in 2005. He is not the same hitter as he used to be as his OBP has dipped to below .400 in 2005. He was fourth in 2004, and fifth in 2003. He has not won any Gold Glove awards, but is certainly not the worst defensive catcher in the league.
Jason Varitek (BOS) - Varitek is not getting any younger either (34 in April), both unlike Posada, his numbers are improving. Although 2005's stats were not as great as 2003 and 2004. He had four more homeruns than 2004, but with three less RBI. His average lowered .015 points, and his OBP lowered .024 points. He cut down on strikeouts by 9. His doubles, triples and walks remained the same. Despite the number drop, he took home the Silver Slugger and Gold Glove in 2005. It will be interesting to see how Varitek will bounce back after the World Baseball Classic. He struggled after the All Star break in 2005 and had a considerably worse second half than first half. I think he will be just fine. Even if he has a bad start, he still be Captain of the Red Sox.
Edges:
Offense - Varitek
Defense- Varitek
Speed- Varitek
Leadership - Varitek
Throwing Arm - Varitek
Plate Blocking - Posada
Play/Pitch Calling - Varitek
The edge goes to Jason Varitek for catcher of the Boston Red Sox.
