Jorge Posada defends old Yankees pal Derek Jeter on job he’s doing in Miami
Jorge Posada, left, and Derek Jeter are introduced before the Yankees'home opener against theOrioles on April 7, 2014, at Yankee Stadium. Credit: Getty Images / Al Bello
Now living in Miami, Jorge Posada has been bearing witness to Derek Jeter’s dismantling of the Marlins. He understands the anger the fans have directed at the matinee-idol shortstop turned team owner. But he also thinks Jeter might have them all right where he wants them.
“I think he likes to prove people wrong so he’s up to a challenge,” Posada said Tuesday night where he and Carlos Beltran received the Munson Legend Award at the annual Thurman Munson Awards Dinner. “He loves challenges so this is another challenge in his life.”
Jeter has coordinated front office firings and the trades of Giancarlo Stanton, Dee Gordon, Marcell Ozuna and Christian Yelich in a quest to slash payroll before a rebuild. He is being criticized as he never was in New York with the Yankees.
“He’s getting very bad publicity but he’s doing everything he can to make that team better,” Posada said. “Criticism is tough to see because he’s doing everything he can to make it a winning organization. . . . I see some frustrated fans, but they have to understand it’s a process. The Astros did it and Chicago did it. It’s a process and it takes time.
“People are just frustrated to see their players go.”
Posada and Jeter were not only teammates for close to two decades, they also remain the closest of friends. Asked if he would accept a position in the Marlins’ organization if offered by his pal, Posada quickly replied “I would.”
However Posada said he probably wouldn’t want a spot as manager or a member of the field staff.
“We’ll see,” he said. “I really don’t want to be traveling too much. I like being home.”
