In the crouch is AA catcher, Austin Romine. Standing against the wall watching, AAA catcher Jesus Montero. Montero is currently one of the top 5 prospects in all of baseball and widely acclaimed as the best hitter in the minors right now. Romine, on the other hand, is seen as a much better all around catcher (better arm, better catching defense). While he doesn't have nearly the potential at the plate of Montero, he projects to be a major league level starter - sort of like an AJ Pierzynski (sp?) type. Not too bad, actually.
Both are catchers, but both play an integral part in the future of the Yankees. Why? Because the Yankees WILL be trading one of these two guys within the next 6 months for starting pitching. It's not a maybe, it's a definite. I don't even think the Yankees will wait until the deadline. I could see a trade coming in early May. Either way, one of these two players will be gone and the debate will begin as to whether the right guy was traded.
To tell you the truth, I'm not sure who I would trade right now. While I've never seen Montero in person (I've seen Romine a ton with him being in Trenton), I'd suggest to keep them both if at all possible. While both are top 100 prospects right now, I can only see their stock getting better. Montero will be a mid-season call up and has the potential to make a big impact. Or, if Cervelli is actually injured (doctors still reviewing the MRI of his foot), I'd make Montero the backup behind Martin to start the season.
I completely understand the value of starting pitching. I feel like sometimes, though, the potential of a prospect may overshadow the realized value of a starter (even though it probably shouldn't). My advice to the Yankees - trade a package of Ivan Nova, Eduardo Nunez, Joba Chamberlain for a starting pitcher...but hang on to your catching depth in the minors.
...at least until Gary Sanchez comes along.
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