On December 8 when the Yankees agreed to send right-handed starter/reliever Adam Warren to the Chicago Cubs in exchange for Starlin Castro to solve their second base woes of the last two years, another decision was made that appears will effect the team all season, or at least until another move is made.

Brendan Ryan, the team's backup infielder in 2015, was the "player to be named later" in the Dec. 8 trade, and two weeks later he was a Cub.

The Yankees received a young, potentially All-Star caliber second baseman in Castro, but in the process dropped the one guy on the team who could play three infield positions, and at a high level--Ryan doesn't hit well, but his defense has always been above average, not to mention the versatility. (He was also the third-string catcher in case of emergency.)

Less than a week later after they acquired him, though, the Cubs cut Ryan and he became a free agent.

No team has grabbed him yet. So it begs the question: does it make sense for the Yankees to re-sign him?

(Maybe it made more sense 12 hours ago before they acquired infielder Ronald Torreyes from the Los Angeles Dodgers, but Ryan is a much more proven big league infielder, and they could still shuffle pieces around before spring.)

On Monday, general manager Brian Cashman was asked who the team's backup third baseman will be in 2016. His answer? Castro. Castro, he said, can slide over to third to spell Chase Headley and shortstop Didi Gregorius.

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It makes some sense; Castro was, after all, a shortstop the first five and 1/2 years of his career in Chicago, and has the arm to play on that side of the diamond.

But does manager Joe Girardi really want his second baseman--who's still learning that position--shuffling around the infield? It seems doubtful Girardi would love doing this, and plugging in a guy like Ryan would be a more assuring fit.

Cashman said Rob Refsnyder, who had a solid showing with the team last year, has no plans to move from second base, and will likely start the season in Triple-A. He, too, is still learning second base.

(Though on Monday, Girardi said Refsnyder could be one of the utility guys used next year, so it seems he and Cashman aren't exactly on the same page when it comes to Refsnyder.)

Another option the Yankees have is Pete Kozma, who signed a minor league deal with the team last month. Kozma, like Ryan, is in the big leagues for his glove, not hit bat.

In five seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals (2011-'15), Kozma has hit just .222 with three home runs, but has posted a 1.8 dWAR. And he can play anywhere, though his primary spot is shortstop.

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Dustin Ackley, traded for from the Seattle Mariners last July, is versatile and Girardi said he'll see time at first base in addition to second and the outfield, but it's unlikely he'll play anywhere on the left side of the infield.

And Torreyes is also a candidate for the infield, but how confident could they be in a 23-year-old who has just six big league at-bats?

So, as it stands, the Yankees don't have a true backup infielder, heading into the year with a hodgepodge of Castro, Refsnyder, and Ackley when they need to shuffle things around.

And maybe that's OK, that that spot on the roster is better reserved for another reliever.

Or, maybe, they would rather have insurance in the infield. Maybe they call on an old friend to help them out. And hey, he can always pitch a few innings if need be.

Ryan Hatch may be reached at rhatch@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @ryanhatch. Find NJ.com on Facebook.