Jorge Posada left Yankee Stadium yesterday afternoon, perhaps for the last time as a Yankee.
When asked if he expected to be back in The Bronx, Posada said, “Hopefully. We’ll see.”
That determination depends largely on what happens over the next few days.
GM Brian Cashman – who said “I’ve got nothing” as he departed the Stadium yesterday – and the rest of the team’s brass headed to Tampa for meetings that are scheduled to begin today. The outcome of those meetings will likely determine not only the fate of Joe Torre, but also the future of players such as Mariano Rivera and Posada, both of whom are about to enter free agency.
Posada told The Post yesterday he won’t decide what he’s going to do until after the meetings are over – and that the return of his longtime manager might have an impact on his own status.
“I’m going to wait and see what happens,” Posada said after signing autographs outside the Stadium. “I want to see how the team is going first, before I make up my mind.”
Like just about everyone else, Posada said that he didn’t know whether Torre would return.
“I have no idea,” Posada said. “I hope he does.”
Rivera came out loudly last week in support of Torre, and both Posada and Rivera made it known during the season they wouldn’t give the Yankees any breaks if they got to this point.
While Rivera struggled early in the season, the 36-year-old Posada defied his age and had what amounted to a career year, setting career highs in batting average (.338), hits (171) and doubles (42). He was also strong defensively despite playing in 144 games.
Posada’s production tailed off in the ALDS loss to the Indians, when he went 2-for-15 (.133), as the team’s entire offense sputtered.
“I’m just going into the offseason and I’m going to find out what happens and take it from there,” Posada said. “I hope everything is going to be for the better, for the team.”