The Yankees Would Be Wise To Keep Austin Romine

The Yankees face an impending decision on who will be their backup catcher to start the 2017 season. Their best choice is to keep the one they’ve had.

A few days ago, Yankees manager Joe Girardi strongly hinted that Austin Romine would once again break camp as the backup catcher. Despite Kyle Higashioka, who finished last year with Triple-A Scranton Wilkes-Barre, having an impressive spring, Girardi is going with who he knows. And it’s a smart decision for several reasons.

Romine has never been known for his bat but held his own last year. He had streaks in which he showed some pop. He’s a solid, if not spectacular, defender behind the plate. Plus, he’s been with the organization for years.

Higashioka, in 102 games between Double-A Trenton and Triple-A Scranton, hit .276 with 21 home runs. He also drove in 81 runners. While those numbers are solid, it is also worth noting that Higashioka did this in his age 26 years. Before 2016, he never showed any significant power in the minor leagues.

Romine knows his role, so there isn’t the distraction of someone barking about playing time.

That’s not to say it’s all his fault. He missed most of the 2013-14 seasons recovering from Tommy John surgery. There was also a broken thumb he injured during this time as well. Yet, baseball executives are usually wary of someone who only started to put it together after their age 25 season.

Down in Tampa however, he has impressed. Not just his power, which he has shown flashes of, but his defense. He’s also got decent bat control and good composure. While no one is saying he’s another Gary Sanchez, Higashioka has done well enough this spring to warrant the attention.

Higashioka Need To Play Every Day

Even so, it’s the smart move to keep Romine while letting Higashioka play every day at Scranton. For one, Romine is out of minor league options. For him to even accept a minor league assignment, he would have to be exposed to waivers first. Any team could claim him. That would leave an organization with little depth at catcher down a man.

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The Yankees know what they are getting with Romine. Higashioka is no such guarantee. If they were to lose Romine to waivers and Higashioka turns out to be a bust, there is no catcher of any renown that could be ready. To find catching prospects in the organization, you’re going to have to look in the lower minors.

Of course, the Yankees themselves could swing a trade for a backup. Or perhaps find one on waivers as well. It just seems like an awful lot of work when it could be avoided. Romine knows his role, so there isn’t the distraction of someone barking about playing time. Besides, nobody thinks that Sanchez will catch all 162 games. There will be days off. There will be days Sanchez is the designated hitter.

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Those are the days that are crucial for Romine this season. For if Kyle Higashioka crushes at Triple-A and Romine struggles, you may see the Yankees take a risk. As with every season, you have to be prepared for injuries as well. It’s just another reason the Yankees need a catcher in wait.

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