Yankees Editorial: What Does the Future Hold for Austin Romine?

With the return of Alex Rodriguez, the battle for the fifth and final rotation slot and the mystery behind who will play second base dominating the Yankees news this spring, one of the most unnoticed story lines is the future of Austin Romine

With just four exhibition games remaining before the Yankees head north to the Bronx for Opening Day on April 6th, the backup catcher has no idea where he’ll be playing by this time next week.

Romine has been battling with J.R. Murphy for backup catching duties since the start of spring training, though neither backstop has performed up to standards. Murphy, the younger of the two, is hitting just .216 in 37 plate appearances through 18 games played, while Romine is hitting a miserable .143 in 28 at-bats over 16 games played.

It’s important to note that Austin Romine entered spring training with zero club options remaining, meaning that if the Yankees decide to send him to the minors, they’ll have to put him on waivers and run the risk of losing him all together.

In 167 major league plate appearances, Romine has hit .204 with one home run and 11 RBI’s. He was drafted by the Yankees out of El Toro High School in Lake Forest, Ca. in the second round of the 2007 amateur draft.

The Philadelphia Phillies and San Diego Padres have expressed interest in acquiring a backup catcher. If GM Brian Cashman doesn’t end up trading the 26-year old backstop, there’s a good chance he’ll end up on one of two teams as a free-agent.

What are your thoughts Yankees fans? What do you think will be the future of the backstop who we saw grow up right in front of our own eyes?