TAMPA — He is coveted by teams who have more playing time for him. If he remains a Yankee, he knows Brian McCann is about to enter the first season of a five-year deal worth $85 million. Yet, however it turns out before Opening Day, this season can’t be worse than last year for Francisco Cervelli.
“All the things that happened in 2013, this is different,’’ Cervelli said Monday. “I’m thankful to God to let me be here and I’m going to just do my job. I’m not worried about what they decide. This is a business and they can do whatever they want.
“I have to play the best I can and be better and better every day. I’m not worried about anything else. Just play, and anytime I see my name on the [lineup] card, do my thing.’’
Things can always be worse, but it’s hard to imagine Cervelli experiencing what he did a season ago. By late April, he had clearly separated himself from Chris Stewart as the Yankees’ No. 1 catcher. He started 16 of the first 22 games, was catching well and hitting .269. This, after spending the entire 2012 season at Triple-A and appearing in three big league games after the rosters expanded in September.
Then came April 26, and everything changed when Cervelli left a game when a foul tip fractured his right hand, requiring surgery. In early July, Cervelli had to stop a throwing program because of an elbow issue. One month later, he was suspended 50 games for his involvement in the Biogenesis scandal.
While the suspension certainly caused embarrassment, the fractured hand hurt more.
“For the first time, I had a chance to be an everyday catcher,’’ Cervelli said. “I had been fighting for it for a long time and it just — one second it was gone. I’m looking forward to having that opportunity one day.’’
Barring an injury to McCann, which would be a lethal blow to the Yankees’ lineup, Cervelli isn’t going to reclaim the job. By the time of the April 1 opener in Houston, he could be gone from the only organization he knows — one that didn’t look at him as a front-line catcher, or it wouldn’t have signed McCann.
The White Sox and Diamondbacks have heavily scouted Cervelli, who is out of options. If the Yankees believe Austin Romine or John Ryan Murphy can be McCann’s backup, Cervelli would be prime trade bait for an infielder who can play third or second base, or a reliever who can help get the game to David Robertson.
Once criticized for being over-demonstrative on the field, Cervelli is now regarded differently.
“He brings life and energy to the game,’’ said a talent evaluator for a team looking for a catcher, but without an infielder or reliever to give up.
Yankees manager Joe Girardi rates defense ahead of the bat when it comes to backup catchers. Cervelli’s defense was good enough to start last year, and it hasn’t regressed. Nor has his bat. In six exhibition games, Cervelli is hitting .429 (6-for-14) with a homer and two RBIs.
At 28, Cervelli admits maturity has helped him understand there is more to catching than a strong arm and productive bat.
“I understand the mental part of this game more now,” he said. “In the past my game used to be one speed, fast all the time, fast, fast fast. Now, I say, ‘Calm down a little bit.’ That way you can make things happen better.’’
The fractured hand and suspension produced some good, even if they turned 2013 into a nightmare.
“I think it helped me because that’s the only way I learned,’’ Cervelli said. “Now I have more confidence in myself behind the plate and hitting. You trust yourself and a lot of good things can happen.’’