Montero for Pineda: the intriguing trade that will change the Mariners and Yankees
Can Michael Pineda handle the pressure that comes with pitching in New York? (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
The New York Yankees have always been potent offensively. The lack of consistent starting pitching has been their downfall. On Friday, the front office did its part to try to rectify the problem. In the early evening, they signed former Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Hiroki Kuroda to a one-year deal worth $10 million. It was what they pulled off a few hours earlier, however, that has the greatest potential to turn a weakness into a strength.
Michael Pineda, a 22-year-old from the Dominican Republic who had a tremendous rookie season with the Seattle Mariners in 2011, was traded to the Yankees for one of their top prospects, catcher Jesus Montero. These two young players aren’t household names, but their futures are bright. And this deal could easily be a win-win for teams currently on opposite ends of the spectrum.
“The risk for both clubs is low,” wrote MLB.com’s Bernie Pleskoff. “The reward for both clubs is outstanding. This could be a transformational deal that will have fans of both clubs buzzing about for a long time.”
New York puts every player under a microscope, and Pineda should already be feeling some pressure. Judging by his performance last season, expectations deserve to be very high. He had formed a very solid one-two punch with Felix Hernandez atop Seattle’s rotation. He won only nine of his 28 starts, largely because he was backed by a terrible offense. He posted a 3.74 ERA, and struck out 173 batters while allowing just 133 hits in 171 innings. Pineda heads to the Bronx with a live arm, a imposing 6’7″, 260-pound frame, and a repertoire featuring three polished pitches. He has the talent to be dominant, but can he handle the stress that comes with pitching in such a hostile environment? The discouraging success rate of young pitchers in pinstripes isn’t on his side, but his talent, demeanor, and maturity suggest he can break the trend.
For New York, it is worth finding out. He cooled off at the end of the season, but had a 2.61 ERA over the first three months. And even when he wasn’t at his best he kept his team in contention and pitched deep into games. He was an All-Star. He allowed two earned runs or less 15 times. And he is under team control for five more years. This is why the asking price was Montero, a 6’3″, 235-pound hitting machine. And if Pineda is able to handle life on the big stage and, in turn, lives up to his potential, the Yankees won’t have any regrets, no matter what Montero does.
All indications are that Montero will do a lot. Considering the Mariners gave up a top-of-the-rotation starter, he better. It would be hard to argue with those people who say New York won this trade. Montero isn’t proven, and Pineda appears to be an awful lot to give up for someone with 61 major league at-bats. Who knows if Montero can hit big-league pitching. It is known that Pineda can make the game’s best hitters look silly. Still, there is reason for Seattle to feel comforted by the move, even though the word “potential” is a dangerous one.
The new Mariner has crushed opponents everywhere he has been. He hit .306 in the minor leagues spread over six levels. He hit .328 with four homers and 12 rbi’s in 18 games with the Yankees. He is only 22 years old and doesn’t turn 23 until November 28th. “I gave up a ton,” New York General Manager Brian Cashman said. “To me, Montero is Mike Piazza. He is Miguel Cabrera.”
Comparisons to Piazza and Cabrera are incredibly premature, but just show how good Cashman thinks he can be. Though he may not live up to them, there are many reasons why the GM had a difficult time parting with him. He has power to all fields, a good eye at the plate, and has consistently proven to be a solid contact hitter. The team desperately needed someone with his skill, as they ranked dead last in baseball in runs scored. Based solely on his offensive potential, it’s a perfect fit. He is seen as a below-average defensive catcher, so there is a question as to what position he will play long-term. That could come to hurt Seattle, but if he can put the critics to bed and be respectable as their everyday catcher Seattle will benefit greatly by his presence.
There aren’t many trades made that include this much young talent. And it doesn’t just stop at Pineda and Montero. Twenty-four-year-old pitcher Hector Noesi was also sent to Seattle, adding to its terrific up-and-coming crop of young arms. Nineteen-year-old pitcher Jose Campos was sent to New York. They are more than just throw-ins; the deal doesn’t lose any of its balance by their inclusion.
On Noesi, Pleskoff wrote:
Noesi has the ability to start or come out of the bullpen. He throws his fastball in the mid-90s, but he also has an effective curveball and changeup. He still needs to work on his breaking pitches, as they have a tendency to flatten out at times. When that happens, Noesi is prone to giving up long fly balls, some of which make their way out of the park. Seattle will be well suited for Noesi, who should thrive in the large park.
On Campos, Pleskoff wrote:
Many see Campos as a younger edition of Pineda. He is imposing physically at 6-foot-4, 195 pounds. He throws a very reliable, high-velocity fastball. While Campos lacks the experience and polish of Pineda, he is only 19. Pitching for Class A Everett last season, Campos went 5-5 and yielded just 66 hits in 81 innings, walking just 13 while fanning 85 for a stunning 0.97 WHIP. Scouts are very bullish about Campos, and it’s a bit surprising he was included along with Pineda in the deal for Montero.
Though they have their upside, Noesi and Campos won’t make the immediate impact Montero and Pineda will. The latter two have should have a resounding effect on their new teams this coming season. One goes to Seattle, which is trying to get out of the American League West’s basement. The other goes to New York, which looks to live up to its yearly championship aspirations. The two franchises are in different stages of development, but this exciting trade will keep both going in the right direction.
