What To Do With Austin Romine

The New York Yankees have some interesting options this off season. For years we’ve been talking about the Yankees extensive catching depth. With Brian McCann as the team’s everyday catcher for the foreseeable future the organization still boasts talent in the likes of John Ryan Murphy, Austin Romine, Gary Sanchez and the rising prospect Luis Torrens. So it came as no surprise when the Yankees decided to trade away long time backup catcher Francisco Cervelli to the Pirates to bolster the bullpen with lefty reliever Justin Wilson. The team seems to want Murphy as McCann’s backup which makes one ask… What about Romine?

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Romine is out of minor league options which currently means he’s stuck in the majors whether the Yankees want it or not. With all due respect to Romine, Murphy is the better catcher. He’s a better hitter and his ability as a game caller has been praised extensively. So if they’re serious about having the player formally known as J.R. as their second catcher they’ll definitely have to do something with Romine. As with any player there are these same basic options:

• Trade him
• Designate Him For Assignment which would allow him to be sent down or hit the free agent market
• Flat out release him

So, what do you do? Well, first off the Yankees should wait until after Spring Training to try and trade him. This would give him the ability to raise his stock and give the Yankees more value in exchange for him. There is always a market for catchers as the position is a luxury many teams are looking to fill. Also, waiting until the end of Spring Training allows the team to assure that the team has a suitable backup.

Say Murphy gets hurt in Spring. If they already traded Romine then prospect Gary Sanchez would be thrust into that role perhaps prematurely or the team would be forced to sign an over the hill catcher for the time being. Or if McCann gets hurt and Muprhy needs to step in then everyone on the depth chart moves up. Waiting is definitely the best option at this point.

You would have to believe that the Yankees still have some faith in Romine who is still only 26. But, much like Cervelli, there are other players pushing him out. Luis Torrens is probably ready to move up in the ranks and Gary Sanchez has reportedly been boring of Double A Trenton and a move up needs happen sooner rather than later. But I don’t think the Yankees want to flat out dump him or give him the chance to hit free agency. He’s been a product of their team for a long time now and all their time and energy needs to garner them something in return.

Maybe they could package the young catcher in with a pitcher like David Phelps or Shane Greene in order to get them that shortstop or second baseman they need. Or, they could trade him alone and maybe get a reliever in return like they did with Cervelli (Oh! While I’m at it! Congratulations to Cervelli on finally becoming a starting catcher now that Russell Martin has bolted Pittsburgh).

John Ryan Murphy is the better catcher and unfortunately for Romine he’ll probably end up in a different uniform come 2015. At least he could probably stay find a home in the Major Leagues with a club in more need of a catcher. Personally, I feel trading him is the best option because catching is a valuable commodity that could bring the Yankees something decent in return.