BY FRANK VERDE

NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM

COMMENTARY

When the Yankees open spring training for pitchers and catchers today, a couple of familiar faces will be missing from the complex in Tampa, Fla.

No Jorge Posada, who announced his retirement last month. No A.J. Burnett, who has been traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates for a pair of minor-leaguers in what amounts to a salary dump.

Look closely at how the Yankees handled the departure of a potential Hall of Fame catcher and their one-time No. 2 starting pitcher and you’ll begin to understand why the Yankees are perennial contenders to win the World Series.

It’s no secret that the emotional Posada was upset by the way he was utilized (pushed out) last season by manager Joe Girardi and/or general manager Brian Cashman. There was talk about him finishing his career with another team, but in the end Posada retired as a Yankee in a dignified ceremony attended by best friends and legendary teammates Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera.