 After being called up to the Yankees last September, Jesus Montero batted .328 with four home runs and drove in 12 runs over 61 at-bats. (Photo by Bill Menzel) Many Yankees fans were concerned that the usually free-spending ownership was not often mentioned pursuing high priced free agents during the hot-stove league in an attempt to strengthen the club for the forthcoming season, but General Manager Brian Cashman and the Steinbrenners acted boldly this weekend to upgrade the starting rotation. A trade between the Yanks and the Seattle Mariners on Friday the thirteenth of January saw the exchange of future stars. The Yankees obtained 23-year-old righty Michael Pineda, who had a very impressive rookie season with the Mariners in 2011. Pineda started 28 games for Seattle. His win-loss mark was 9-10 and his ERA was 3.74. The fireballer fanned 179 batters in 171 innings. The native of the Dominican Republic was signed as an amateur free agent as a 16-year-old in 2005. After several years of seasoning in the minors, the 6-foot-7, 260-pound power pitcher was given his opportunity in the majors last season. Pineda made the most of his chance in his early starts. His success led to his selection as a member of the American League All Star Team, though he struggled during the second half of the season. Also added to the Yankees organization via the trade was righthander Jose Campos. The native of Venezuela also signed with the Mariners at the age of 16 in 2009. He has pitched in the lower minors since 2009. Like Pineda, Campos has shown his versatility as a starter with a fastball in the mid-90’s as well as command of several other pitches. The teenager (19) was 5-5 with a 2.32 ERA with Class A Everett in the Northwest League last year. Although not yet ready for big league competition, the youngster could be in the majors within three years if his progress continues. Veteran Japanese hurler Hiroki Kuroda was signed as a free agent for one year for a reported $10 million on the same day the trade was made. The 36 year old (37 on February 10) has pitched for the Dodgers since 2008. Although Koroda’s won/loss mark was below .500, he started more than 30 games in each of the last two seasons and averaged 160 strikeouts in each of those seasons. Kuroda also has post-season experience as he started three games (2-1) in the 2008 and 2009 seasons. It appears as if Pineda and Kuroda will immediately join CC Sabathia and Ivan Nova in the starting rotation. Three of last year’s Yankees starters, A.J. Burnett, Phil Hughes and Freddy Garcia, will probably be in a struggle for the fifth starting spot. The trade for Pineda and Campos was not one-sided. The Yankees surrendered 23 year-old phenom Jesus Montero and 24-year-old pitcher Hector Noesi. Montero was expected to be the full-time designated hitter and backup catcher behind Russell Martin. Montero was extremely impressive at the plate in his brief call-up in 2011. He batted .328 and drove in 12 runs in only 61 at-bats. It was questionable if his skills behind the plate would ever have been sufficient for him to become the starting catcher. Austin Romine will probably be the catching replacement behind Martin. Noesi, born in the Dominican Republic, was impressive in his 30 appearances with the Yanks last year. Although 28 of those games were in relief, he may find a position in Seattle’s young starting rotation. The Yanks management made important moves in only one day this winter and in a relatively quiet manner, but those decisions have created a starting rotation that appears superior to the one the franchise had on Thursday. Further moves may be made to finalize the team’s pitching and perhaps add another designated hitter.
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