LAKELAND, Fla. — Not everyone agrees the Yankees are a better team with Adam Warren in Chicago and Starlin Castro at second base in The Bronx.
Warren’s ability to start and relieve was invaluable to the Yankees across the previous two seasons. And even if there was a huge hole at second, some believe Warren was too high of a price to pay.
Manager Joe Girardi was a big fan of Warren’s, but justified the deal this way:
“To get something, you have to give up something good,’’ Girardi said of the Winter Meetings swap that plugged the Yankees’ second base hole with a three-time All Star who had 991 hits before his 26th birthday, which arrives March 24. “I know we were giving up a really good piece, but we got a really good piece in Starlin Castro, a guy I believe can be an All-Star. So, you knew it was a balancing act. We hope we can find someone to fill that role and now we have an everyday second baseman and a backup shortstop. If something happens to Didi [Gregorius] he can play at a really high level every day.’’
Warren’s departure leaves a very valuable, if not sexy spot in the pitching staff open. The right-hander worked 43 games a year ago, starting 17. He went 7-7 with a 3.29 ERA, allowed 114 hits, fanned 104 and walked 39.
Girardi hasn’t anointed a favorite to replace Warren, but going into camp the popular name was Bryan Mitchell, a right-hander who turns 24 in April and has the type of live arm scouts love.
Command has been an issue for Mitchell, who was 0-2 with a 6.27 ERA in 20 big league games last year. He made two starts. He missed 11 days in August with a nasal fracture and was placed on the seven-day concussion list after former Yankee Eduardo Nunez hit Mitchell in the face with a line drive. Mitchell is expected try out protective headgear this spring.
Some pitchers don’t want to swing between starter and reliever. Others, like Ramiro Mendoza, a key cog of the most recent Yankees dynasty, embrace it.
“I think we have an idea of what [Mitchell] is capable of doing,’’ Girardi said before Mitchell blanked the Tigers in two innings Friday at Joker Marchant Stadium, walking one, striking out two and not giving up a hit. “But I think you want to get an idea of, ‘Can he do it moving around where he starts, long man and a day you need him for two or three innings?’ We have always considered him a starter, but his role might be a little bit different.’’
Of course, Mitchell is aware what’s at stake. A year ago, his chances of sticking with the team out of camp were nil. Now, the 16th-round pick in 2009 knows the situation has changed.
“Everyone knows where the spots are,’’ said Mitchell, who has appeared in 117 minor league games, 112 of which were starts. Three of his 23 big league games have been starts. “Everyone is battling.’’
Pitching coach Larry Rothschild noted room for improvement, but recognized it was Mitchell’s first game.
“I thought he was OK, I thought he threw some good breaking balls. I would like to see him dictate counts a little better but it’s the first time out,’’ Rothschild said.
Based on Mitchell’s stuff, Girardi believes he can take over for Warren. Yet, there is a mental adjustment to be made.
“The ability is there. It’s a tough role. Last year, it was a tough role because there were a lot of days in between pitching and not sure exactly what he was going to do,’’ Girardi said. “The idea is to get him on track.’’
And fill the hole Warren left behind.
