With Posada possibly out next season the Yankees are in need of a good, veteran catcher. Does that mean Paul Lo Duca, currently with the Washington Nationals? According to a nationals.com article, it could. Paul Lo Duca realizes that the Nats probably won't need him next year. They've got the young catcher Jesus Flores and Johnny Estrada when Flores needs a break. Currently, Lo Duca's been playing other positions-first base and left field. Lo Duca's a good hitter but at 36, he might not fit into next year's trying-to-build-a-young-team Nationals. Again, does this mean the Yankees? Possibly. Does this even come into play (now would be a good time for an excuse the pun note but if you're reading this you're probably used to my puns) now? No. For now Posada's still in the Yankees lineup even if he's not behind the plate. And Lo Duca's still with the Nationals even if he isn't behind the plate either (although for different reasons). I wouldn't be too surprised though. Lo Duca's a high profile player, who's used to New York, in fact even a friend (maybe not friend more like acquiantance) of the New York media (with the exception of that teenage tabloid scandal) and he'd fit in well back in New York. I think he even still resides there during the offseason. And as I said, the Nationals are trying to build a younger team. They want their younger veterans to step into leadership roles and that includes their intended starting catcher Jesus Flores. The Nats want a young team that they can mold into a great team and keep for years, not a catcher who could likely retire at anytime (unlikely for awhile, since he's still a great player and in great shape but a possibility nevertheless.) To be honest, Lo Duca as a 2009 Yankee makes a lot more sense than Lo Duca as a 2009 National.
* "lo" is Hebrew for "no"
* "lo" is Hebrew for "no"
