All offseason long I have been asking the New York Yankees to improve their pitching staff; on Friday, January 13 they were finally able to do it. The Yankees acquired Michael Pineda in a four player deal with the Seattle Mariners.
The Mariners received catcher Jesus Montero and pitcher Hector Noesi in the trade. The Yankees also obtained 19-year-old pitcher Jose Campos in the swap.
In his first season in the majors Pineda started off hot and cooled down the stretch. Overall he had a record of 9-10 with an earned run average of 3.74. Pineda had 173 strikeouts in 171 innings pitched and was named an All-Star.
Pineda, who will turn 23 in just a few days, gives the Yankees what they needed behind C.C. Sabathia, a solid number two starter. Campos was one of the Mariners top prospects, but is still just in Class A ball.
The Yankees did have to give up one of their brightest prospects in the trade. Montero was successful in a short stint in the majors in 2011. In just 61 at bats Montero had a .590 slugging percentage and an on-base and slugging percentage of .996. Montero will probably be inserted right in the heart of the Mariners lineup at either catcher or designated hitter. A switch to first base could also be in his future.
Noesi will probably make the Mariners rotation as well. He pitched in 30 games with New York last season and had an ERA of 4.47.
Overall this is a trade that could help both teams. The Mariners were in desperate need of some punch in their lineup and Montero can provide that. The teams dealt from their strengths and addressed weaknesses. Another good thing for the Yankees is that this won't keep them from their goal of staying near the luxury tax threshold. Pineda will be making an average of less than $1 million the next couple of seasons. It is nice to see the Yankees make a deal that doesn't involve a salary dump.
As a Yankees fan I can't wait to see Pineda in pinstripes. Come on spring hurry up and get here already.
Darren Pare is a third generation Yankees fan. The unique thing is that he lives in the middle of Red Sox nation, Maine, and has for all his life and that gives him a different perspective. You can follow him on Twitter @dpare71.
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