http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/927 ... ina-others
Cervelli's stats suggest that the work has been worth it. From 2009 to 2010, his receiving saved the Yankees 6.3 runs in 979 innings. But from 2011 to 2013, looking much more quiet behind the plate, he's saved the Yankees 16.6 runs in 459⅓ innings — more than twice as many runs in less than half the playing time. Cervelli was an infielder and a pitcher before the Yankees signed him out of Venezuela and converted him to catcher, so he faced a steeper learning curve than most professionals. But he's living proof that receiving skills can improve over time if accompanied by proper coaching and a desire to improve.
The market-induced demise of framing might arrive one day, but it's not here yet. Careerwise, this is the best time in baseball history to be a solid receiver. Framing is Chris Stewart's meal ticket, too — he's saved 16.5 runs in a little more than 8,000 pitches — and he's well aware of it.
...
It's early in the season, but it's not too soon to assess the Yankees' Cervelli/Stewart experiment. Through the game in which Cervelli was injured, the pair had combined to catch 1,792 called pitches and saved the Yankees a little more than five runs in the process. If we extend that to the number of called pitches Yankees catchers caught last season, their total contribution comes to 36 runs. A.J. Pierzynski's extended total over the entire season has him costing the Rangers roughly seven runs. He might outhit Cervelli and Stewart, but not by nearly enough to make up for a framing disparity that size. Even if he came close, there would still be the not-so-small matter of his salary, which is almost six times higher than Cervelli's and Stewart's put together.
Runs are runs, whether they're scored or saved. Now that we know how many runs Cervelli, Stewart, and others like them are saving, those former fringe players have become commodities that every team wants.