When 2010 begain, Trenton Thunder catcher Austin Romine showed only traces of frustration that he is shadowed by friend and future-Yankees-catcher competition, Jesus Montero.
He appeared a calm and focused guy, seemingly unmoved by the white hot focus on him.
But as the season progressed, as trade talks fired up that would put Montero in Seattle, and Romine struggled through the hot summer months, there was a bit of noticeable fatigue. Had Montero been traded, the path to the Bronx would have opened up for Romine. There would be no long-term block.
When none of that happened, and to be fair, Montero struggled at the plate for Triple-A Scranton, Romine's place in the pecking order remained. After the Thunder's season ended at the hands of the Altoona Curve in the ELCS, Romine took a short break before heading to Arizona Fall League. He finished his stint there hitting .286 with 16 hits in 14 games.
The less than surprising news came just last week that Yankees long-time catcher Jorge Posada would be the DH, and Montero would compete with Francisco Cervelli for the starting role out of spring training.
Where does this put Romine? Where he might best be served.
If 2010 proved anything about Romine and Montero, it's that there is much more time needed in the gestation process. Both players have their strengths at the plate, both have their well-known weaknesses. But the Yankees had to make a decision with Posada declining.
Enter Montero on the big league stage. Romine stays in the developmental wings.
It would be unfair to say Montero is being rushed, even if he is. We have no reason to believe he won't succeed at that level. The experience alone is important. But the flip side of that is that Romine gets extra time to polish his skills in every area.
There is, of course, a distinctly drawn line between the kind of player Montero is and the kind Romine is. But what Romine lacks in power, he makes up for at his position.
If Romine can develop more power and better patience at the plate, he increases his value to the Yankees in the long run. His defensive strength was given high praise by another oh-so-close Yankee, Andrew Brackman. Brackman said he owed a great deal to Romine, citing him as a guide in recognizing his mistakes and how to improve them.
A Montero-Romine future gives the Yankees a kind of mythological hybrid: part power bat, part well-designed catcher.
While Montero takes his career to the next stage, THE stage, Romine can become more of the player he and the Yankees hope he'll be.
There is nothing wrong with taking a different road to Yankee Stadium.
Next stop on the way? Most likely Triple-A Scranton.