Jorge Posada's Unease With Yankees Signals Clubhouse Leadership Void, Says Adam Schein

Former Yankees catcher Jorge Posada has revealed that he does not feel welcome around the team, a sentiment that radio host Adam Schein described as "nauseating," "pathetic," and an "embarrassment." Schein, host of "Schein Time" on YouTube, suggested on his show that Posada's statement, coupled with the apparent lack of connection between Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe and Hall of Famer Derek Jeter, indicates a significant problem with the team's clubhouse dynamics and player leadership.

"So, I think this officially is a clubhouse issue. I think this officially is a player issue," Schein stated. "I think that Aaron Judge needs to take control of his own clubhouse. I want to know where Giancarlo Stanton is? Where’s the veteran leadership?"

Posada, a pivotal player for the Yankees from 1995 to 2011 and a five-time World Series champion, expressed his feelings of estrangement from the organization. When asked about potentially assisting the Yankees in the future, Posada stated, "I don’t think they want me there, to tell you the truth. I don’t feel welcome when I go there, you know? Even in spring training, I don’t feel like — I’m just like, I don’t know, like, I don’t feel welcome. I don’t feel like they want me there, so I don’t go."

While Posada did not cite a specific incident for this feeling, he acknowledged his final season in 2011 was difficult, marked by a shift away from catcher to designated hitter and reduced playing time. This period saw him post a .714 OPS, and he described the experience of looking back on it as "tough."

Schein suggested that the responsibility for this situation lies not with management, including manager Aaron Boone, general manager Brian Cashman, or owner Hal Steinbrenner, but with the players themselves. He argued that current players, such as Austin Wells or Anthony Volpe, could benefit immensely from the experience and guidance of franchise legends like Posada and Jeter.

"Look at Jorge Posada’s resume. Come on? He doesn’t feel welcome at spring training? You’re telling me Austin Wells couldn’t use talking to Jorge Posada?" Schein questioned. "You’re telling me Anthony Volpe couldn’t use some kind of direction from Derek Jeter? These are guys who just want to be there, because it seems like they care more about winning than the current Yankee players."

The Yankees' lack of recent championship success, with only one World Series appearance since 2017, further exacerbates the issue, according to Schein. He contrasted the current team's struggles, particularly in crucial moments and against division rivals, with the championship pedigree of teams Posada was a part of.

"If the Yankees of the current group, if they were winning, we’re not having this conversation but they’re losing and they’re fundamentally unsound, and they play at their worse when it matters the most," Schein said. "The antithesis of Posada and Jeter and those amazing Yankees teams. That right there, that’s painful. … That makes me sick."

Posada was a key member of the Yankees teams that won five World Series championships, including the team's most recent title in 2009. Schein concluded that Posada's feeling of not being welcome is a significant indicator of why the current iteration of the Yankees struggles to perform under pressure.