Upset over several recent published reports suggesting there is a rift in his relationship with new Yankee manager Joe Girardi, free agent Jorge Posada directed his agents to put out a statement yesterday in which Posada said he learned a great deal from Girardi when the two were Yankee teammates from 1996-99. "Girardi was my mentor and he always taught me the value of having a great work ethic and how it was most important to maintain the position year after year," said Posada, who has been silent publicly since the Yanks' season ended. As for the idea that Girardi's hiring might impact Posada's chances of re-signing with the Yankees, the catcher said his first choice is to return. "The 2007 season was difficult and bittersweet and all I'm doing right now is evaluating everything," he said.