A case could be made that both Jesus Montero and Austin Romine deserve promotions to “the next level” in 2011. For sure, I would like to see Romine at AAA to see how he stacks up there. But, if you do move up Austin, and don’t move Jesus, that would cut into Montero’s catching time at Triple-A.

So, how about this?

Promote both Montero and Romine next season – with Jesus joining the Yankees and Austin going to Scranton.

And, then, at the big league level, have a “catching rotation” that works like this:

Game 1: Posada catches, Montero is the DH, and Cervelli sits.
Game 2: Montero catches, Posada is the DH, and Cervelli sits.
Game 3: Cervelli catches, Posada is the DH, and Montero sits.
Game 4: Posada catches, Montero is the DH, and Cervelli sits.
Game 5: Montero catches, Someone other than Posada is the DH, and Cervelli sits.
Game 6: Cervelli catches, Posada is the DH, and Montero sits.

And, then just keep repeating this rotation, over and over again.

This way, Posada, Montero and Cervelli each end up catching 54 games next season – and, no one catches two days in a row. That’s good for Posada’s aging body and for hiding Montero’s defensive shortcomings. And, Posada gets another 81 games in at DH – giving him 135 starts on the season (which is about the right number for him). Also, Montero gets to play in another 54 games at DH – giving him a total of 108 games in the majors next season. Plus, you could always use Montero as a PH for Cervelli in a big spot – giving him some more PAs next season.

Makes sense, right?

This one is for the older gents among our readers. (H/T to my buddy Chris the Super Yankees fan for the link.)

So, who’s right, Spock or Kirk? Is beauty is transitory, or, does it survive?

Pat Jordan is 69 years old and still writing. He jokingly refers to himself as the “Last Knight of the Freelance,” and it’s true, he’s the last guy of his generation to still make a living as a freelance magazine writer. He writes for the dough but he also writes because that’s what he does, that’s who he is–he wouldn’t know what to do with himself if he wasn’t working.

Jordan takes on another old pro, William Shatner in a profile that appears in this week’s New York Times Magazine:

Shatner was interviewed once by a snarky British talk-show host, who showed scenes from Shatner’s TV cop show, “T. J. Hooker,” and asked, “What do you think about your acting?” Shatner replied: “Oh, I was terrible. How could I have played it that way?” Outside Starbucks, Shatner said to me: “If someone criticizes my acting, they may be right. Sometimes you shouldn’t work so hard” to entertain. Then, softly, he said: “I never thought of myself as a great actor, like Olivier. I was a working actor. I entertained people and always tried to be terrific at whatever it was.” His problem and his salvation. He played so many different roles that “people couldn’t define me like they could De Niro. I took whatever work came my way to pay the bills, even if it wasn’t a decent role.” His motto was “Work equals work,” which destroyed any hope he had of being taken seriously as an actor but also brought him longevity, wealth and fame. “I was always grubbing,” he said. “But I was saying the words somewhere.” He leaned toward me and said, with mock import, “I love to evoke the bones and meat and thoughts of characters.” He put his hand on my knee, squeezed gently, then said with breathless intimacy: “I said this one line for Priceline 20 times. I struggled to get the nuance. My silence reverberated in the ether.” His face was close to mine, as if imparting a great secret. “If you add a car and a hotel room, you will get an even better price from Priceline.com.” I nodded. “See! You got it!” Then, matter-of-factly, he straightened up and emphasized how much satisfaction that one line gave him. “A pro takes the job knowing it’s not a great role, just a paying job. But every word has music in it. My satisfaction is trying to reach that music.”

I am thinking about adding a photos page to WasWatching.com.

One part of it would be where we could display photos of the authors and readers here, if they desire, so that we can put a face with the name – again, if that’s something the author or reader wanted to do. And, hopefully, they’d be in some sort of Yankees attire or setting.

The other part would be for Yankees-related photos that are unique and interesting – sort of like what they do at Fantography.net.

Again, I stress, I’m just thinking about it now. They key factor would be if anyone had any interest in such a thing. So, what do you say? And, thanks in advance for your feedback.

I'll leave you in September
I'll leave since your season's through
Here we are (bye, baby, goodbye)
Saying goodbye to Red Sox Nation (bye, baby, goodbye)
Summer vacation (bye, baby bye, baby)
Has taken you away (bye, baby, goodbye)

Have a bad time but remember
There was danger with the gods that rule above
I won't see you in September
That's because your white trash fans are undeserving love
(counting the days I'll be leaving you)
(counting the hours and the minutes, too)

Due to Internet decency standards, we can't show you a photograph of the Bronze Medal that Boston is awaiting.

A lot of little bits of info are coming through via Twitter. Here's what I've got so far:

- Andy Pettitte threw a 50-pitch simulated game to live batters. Alex Rodriguez, Ramiro Pena, and Greg Golson hits, Chad Moeller caught, and Reggie Jackson was the umpire.

- Andy showed no signs of groin trouble, his location was good and Joe Girardi said he was happy with what he saw. He will either throw another simulated game or make one rehab start.

- A-Rod picked up a few hits, also showed no signs of injury and Joe Girardi said he "looked good too".... He told the Eric Boland that "It was an encouraging day. No setbacks."

....In other news Nick Swisher is back in the lineup:

Brett Gardner LF
Derek Jeter SS
Mark Teixeira 1B
Robinson Cano 2B
Nick Swisher RF
Marcus Thames DH
Curtis Granderson CF
Eduardo Nunez 3B
Francisco Cervelli C

In a simulated game before today's matinee against Toronto, Andy Pettitte will face several Yankee hitters including A-Rod. It will go a long way toward determining the return dates of both. Rodriguez is expected to return for Sunday's game while Pettitte - if the sim-game goes well - will make at least one rehab start before rejoining the Yankees.

• Speaking of A-Rod, he split from super-agent Scott Boras. It was mentioned here in a fan shot, but it got buried, so here it is again -

The consensus of opinion is a familiar one: A-Rod has fallen under the spell of a cadre of Hollywood types, led by Guy Oseary, Madonna's PR guru, who want to take over control of his career...

Fine, but why the need to completely sever ties with the Boras Corp., which, in addition to contract negotiations, offers its clients psychological counseling, investment advice and physical training, among other services? According to published reports, Rodriguez is contractually bound to pay Boras something like $11.8 million over the next seven years.

The only logical reason -- and this is only an educated guess -- is that Rodriguez or one of his new advisers thinks they can find a loophole that allows A-Rod not to have to pay Boras' remaining agents fee.

I don't think that will ever happen, but I'd like to see him try.

• Ex-scout Frankie Piliere took a long look at Derek Jeter's swing and was not impressed -

Yankee fans and people around baseball have seen Derek Jeter struggle this season like he never has before. For many, it's likely been difficult to accept, but the fact is that Jeter is, at least for now, not the hitter we've come to know. Not only are the results not the same, but the way he approaches his at-bats has changed as well. And, whether it is subconscious or not, he has changed his approach to compensate for raw ability that may no longer be there.

A great read for Yankee fans, especially if you're into the finer points of baseball. It makes you wonder if Jeter has gone to Kevin Long yet, and if not, why?

• Dallas Braden was 'disappointed' in us for not heckling him during Thursday's 5-0 win -

"I was expecting more," said Braden, who verbally sparred with Alex Rodriguez early this season. "They get an 'F' in my book."

• If you enjoy stories of masochism, check out this 'review' of Yankee Stadium by a Red Sox fan -

Yankee Stadium was impressive and without question sets the standard for ballparks as far as facilities go, but I still love that rundown yard on 4 Yawkey Way and still hate New York. I prefer green over blue, Dropkick Murphys and Neil Diamond over Frank Sinatra and Lansdowne Street over 161st Street. And I can do without all those ugly NY logos, those freakin' pinstripes and those damn Yankees.

Anyone who enjoys Neil Diamond more than Frank Sinatra deserves a good slap in the face, no matter which baseball team you like.

First pitch at 1:05 p.m. as Vazquez returns to the rotation.

Andy Pettitte threw a simulated game, three innings, this morning and came through feeling great. One of the three batters he faced was Alex Rodriguez, who said he also felt great and could play tomorrow afternoon.

Up next for Pettitte is likely to be a bullpen on Monday and a minor league rehab start on Wednesday. He’s expected to throw 65 pitches in the minor league start. It’s possible he could make two starts, but it is more likely he’ll just make the one and be limited to 75 pitches in his first start back in the majors. That would set Pettitte up to start Monday, September 13 against the Tampa Bay Rays.

A-Rod was good in the batter’s box today, but still isn’t running at 100 percent. He’s probably going to be in the lineup anyway tomorrow, but it will probably be another week or two before he’s completely healthy. Despite the fact that Ramiro Pena and Eduardo Nunez have done well, it’s still a big deal to get him back.

Nick Swisher was actually written into the lineup for this afternoon’s game, but he still isn’t running at 100 percent because of the knee injury he sustained a couple weeks back. He’s day-to-day and available to pinch hit today.

Related Stories

• September 4, 2010 -- Yankees Notes: Vazquez, 3rd Base, Pettitte, Swisher, and Marte
• August 29, 2010 -- Yankees Notes: Recap, Nova, and Injury Updates
• August 18, 2010 -- Yankees Notes: A-Rod, Pettitte, Swisher, Johnson, Marte
• September 3, 2010 -- Yankees News: Swisher, Aceves, Oppenheimer, A-Rod