Posada cites ‘perfect timing’ in taking a job with Marlins

JUPITER, Fla. — A black cap with the Miami Marlins’ new neon logo sat atop Jorge Posada’s graying hair Monday, a jarring sight for fans who recall he spent his entire playing career with the New York Yankees.

But Posada switched allegiances to return to the majors, and he’s at spring training as a special adviser to his close friend and former teammate, Marlins CEO Derek Jeter.

“Perfect timing,” Posada said Monday. “Derek approached me sometime in January and said, ‘Do you want to get back in the game?’ I said, ‘Yeah!’ ”

Posada retired following the 2011 season, his 17th as a Yankees catcher. He spent the next few years focusing on family while living in Miami, and now that his son is in college and his daughter is in high school, he decided to help the home team.

His job is loosely defined, which for Posada was part of the appeal.

“He took some time off in retirement, and felt as though he wanted to get back into the game,” Jeter said. “This was a way for him to do it at his own pace.

“He’s going to add a lot of value. I’m coming from an organization that valued ex-players. We want to bring that same vibe to this organization.”

Posada, 47, gave catchers a tutorial Monday on how to make tags at the plate. He’ll be in uniform some and said he wants to work mostly with minor-leaguers.

“I’m looking forward to doing everything possible to have the kids move up and get them to the big leagues,” he said. “That’s the main goal.”