It's been an uncomfortable spring for New York Yankees backup catcher Francisco Cervelli as he wants to do well but knows that when he does, it could boost his trade value as the Bronx Bombers may look to deal him prior to the start of the season.
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Cervelli, who launched two homers in Wednesday's spring training game and is hitting .500 (8-for-16) and leads the team with three long-balls this spring, knows the Yankees may trade him to address infield or bullpen help, but that it's also not up to him.
"That's something I can't control," Cervelli told ESPN about possible deals. "This is my house right now, today, and I don't know what will happen tomorrow. I've been here forever. But if somebody wants me to go over there, I got to make the adjustment, you know?"
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Cervelli, who had a productive day on offense and defense on Wednesday, realizes that he may not make the big-league squad after being sent down to Triple-A two years ago on the last day of spring training. Cervelli had a plan to avoid that happening again.
"I'm gonna hide today," Cervelli, who aspires to backup new import Brian McCann on Opening Day, said after a solid performance Wednesday per ESPN. "I'm gonna go home right now, because when they call me to the office, that's scary, you know?"
Cervelli then was slated to start last year until he broke his hand on a foul tip in April. Now fully healthy, the Yankees have been impressed with Cervelli for working to improve his defense. Cervelli played in just 17 games in 2013 and hit .269 with three homers and eight RBI.
"I think he's a much better player defensively and offensively," Joe Girardi said, according to ESPN. "He's matured. He's played a lot more baseball. I think he has the ability to [play every day], yeah, I do."
Cervelli wants to be a starter, but with McCann having the job locked up for the next five years and the Yankees grooming Gary Sanchez for the future, he may have to be shipped elsewhere in order for that to happen.
"I told you guys many times my dream is to be a starting catcher," Cervelli told the media Wednesday via ESPN. "But I know my role here. Right now, my role is a backup. That's what I'm playing for. I come here, I hit, I catch, I do anything they say. But I'm never going to stop because opportunity is going to come again."
Cervelli may get his chance to start eventually, but it may not be in New York and the Yankees could very well deal him.
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