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| "Got traded... see ya guys." - Michael Pineda |
The New York Yankees and GM Brian Cashman ruffled the
feathers of the league when they traded then top prospect Jesus Montero to the
Seattle Mariners for an up-and-coming pitcher named Michael Pineda. It took a while
for New York to reap some of the benefits of having the young right-hander,
Pineda missed the entire 2012 and 2013 season with shoulder issues and missed
some of the 2014 season with arm trouble as well, but finally got a long look
at what they traded for in 2015. At times Pineda looked to be the ace of the
staff and the savior for the team and at other times I wouldn’t have personally
given up Jesus Montero’s mother for him in a trade. All in all though Pineda
finished the season with a 12-10 record and a 4.37 ERA as he prepares to enter
salary arbitration for the first time in his career. Is it time to sell “high”
on Pineda and his two seasons of team control?
Pineda is a young talent that just can’t seem to stay
healthy nor can he remain effective. Excuses are thrown around that Joe Girardi
wasn’t giving him enough rest or was giving him too much rest of that someone
messed with his Buddha statue named Jobu in his locker (Pedro Cerrano
reference) and not enough results to really back him up on anything. After
basically a full season and a glimpse into the future I’m not sure if Pineda
has the marbles (I have a million of these “Major League II” references so stay
tuned) to cut it in New York.
Pineda is an immense talent but this team is without a true
#1 starting pitcher in my opinion while also having a few holes elsewhere to
fill. When you look at the free agent market heading into this winter the
talent pool is flush with starting pitchers, namely David Price, Jordan
Zimmerman, Johnny Cueto and likely Zack Greinke if he opts out of his deal as
he is expected to, while the Yankees have a laundry list of names to fill just
five positions in the rotation. Masahiro Tanaka leads that list followed by
Luis Severino, Adam Warren (Brian Cashman himself called him a starter
recently), CC Sabathia for likely two more seasons, Ivan Nova, Bryan Mitchell
and a slew of minor leaguers that are unlikely to crack the rotation out of
Spring Training including Brady Lail and Rookie Davis.
If the Yankees could sell Pineda off for a right-handed
hitting power bat or a second baseman the team has enough confidence in to play
every day then I’m all for it. I’m all for selling high on a player when
selling high makes sense for the organization and selling Pineda off this offseason
may be in the best interest for everyone involved. Or not.
Good article Burch. What time am I dropping Pineda off at the airport. I would sell him yesterday for exactly what you stated a power hitting right handed bat that plays a corner OF spot or third base. I feel good about second base if either of the clowns named the elf or Girardi would allow for Refsnyder to play there on a regular basis. His D isn't as bad as they profess it is.
ReplyDeleteAgreed. Second base is not what we need. I hope you're sitting down Hans. Trade Pineda and Gardner for a power hitting leftfielder and maybe a bullpen arm Girardi can trust.
ReplyDeleteLevin I was sitting down and almost fell off my chair. I like the thought of getting rid of both of Gardner and Pineda as you can sell high on them. Listen I don't like Gardner like you do. I have never liked him, however he is a decent ball player. Just not my cup of tea and with Pineda that train has left the station. We need a right handed bat that can play the corner OF sports or 3rd or 2nd base. I would like to see Kinsler here as I wanted to trade for him this year. Gardner and Pineda is way to much for Kinsler though
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