A week ago, Cervelli was quite a bit less relevant. Even in my angriest moments, a backup catcher is still just a backup catcher, and so Cervelli checks in at #21. But the quotient is higher than it used to be with Cervelli, who drove in 5 runs in Saturday's miserable 14-3 drubbing of the Red Sox. Cervelli is exactly the kind of backup receiver the Sox have been looking for over the past few years--a hardworking, athletic guy who plays good defense and doesn't carp about at-bats or try to do too much. The Yankees signed him in 2003 out of Venezuela, and at the time he'd never once played catcher. He fit the profile of what they wanted, and they all but manufactured him into an effective player.
He may not ever be starting material, but he's a very useful guy for them to have around, especially with Posada nearing age 60. He plays ball, and if he's not a world-igniting talent, he never makes anything harder for the team, and there's a lot to be said for that (by Yankees fans).
Reasons to like him:
Well, he's not Jorge Posada, who I have seen more than enough from over the last 15 years. And um. He seems nice?
He plays small ball. Lays down bunts and makes extra throws to pick off runners. These are fan- and announcer-favorite-type qualities.
He's an Italian Venezuelan American.
Reasons to hate him:
The aforementioned 5 RBI game. I could have done without that.
He's a bridge between Posada and several blue chip young catchers the Yankees have in the minors, most notably Jesus Montero. He forces me to contemplate the idea that the Yankees have a key position locked up for the next 10 years, and that is not a neutral feeling.
I know he got hit in the head, but that oversized helmet is like a metaphor for all the scrappy, David Eckstein-like stuff that he evokes in the hearts of Yankee fans. It also makes me feel like I'm rooting against a little kid, which isn't really playing fair.
Overall hate rating:
3.5 out of 10. I'm warming up.
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