I have made several complaints in the past over how teams refuse to make a fair trade nowadays. One team is always trying to outsmart the other, whereas in the past, it was not the case. I am sure that there are Yankees fans that couldn't imagine the team trading prospect Jesus Montero for anything less than Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain and Barry Bonds in his prime. And Seattle Mariners fans were fearing Felix Hernandez was going to be traded for Kei Igawa, Francisco Cervelli and Boone Logan.
The trade of RHP Michael Pineda and RHP Jose Campos from to Mariners to the Yankees in exchange for C/DH Montero and RHP Hector Noesi was an example of a trade that could very well help both teams. Most negative reaction is from fans that either have undervalued how good of a pitcher Pineda is or just simply feel they have to give up nothing of value in a trade. As a baseball fan, I like this trade because I feel both teams improved themselves.
Lets look at Pineda for a minute. For a terrible Seattle Mariners team, the 22 year old went 9-10 with a 3.74 ERA in 28 starts. That it in itself should not excite you as a fan. But in 171 IP, he struck out 173 batters and gave up just 133 hits. He was 8th in the AL in WHIP 1.099, 5th in the AL in hits per 9 IP with 7 and 2nd in the AL in Ks per 9 IP (9.105). He also made the AL All Star team and finished 5th in the rookie of the year voting. He has a high 90s fastball and a very good slider and instantly slides into the top of the Yankees rotation. Campos is a young pitcher (will not be 20 until July) who the Yankees can put in their farm system with the potential to help them in the future either on the major league team or as a trade chip to get another piece down the road.
Montero showed in September that he could hit at the major league level. But, as a catcher, he wasn't as fine-tuned as fellow catching prospects Austin Romine and Gary Sanchez defensively. But, theres no question he is a hitter, bursting on the scene last year to hit .328 (20-61) with 4 HR and 12 RBI as a September call-up. The Mariners have a hitter they can instantly put in the middle of their order. Seattle also has the flexibility to play him at catcher, 1st base or as a designated hitter; something the Yankees could not do. Hector Noesi pitched primarily as a reliever last year for the Yankees. He has been a starter in the minors and should get a chance with the Mariners. Though he has upside, he is not expected to be in the same league as Pineda.
It is clear that both teams improved in this trade. The Yankees got a very young top of the rotation pitcher who will be there for a while. The Mariners got a young power hitter who they can put at catcher, 1st base or DH. Its nice to see a throwback trade, when two teams used to swap needs and improve because of one trade. Its about time!
The trade of RHP Michael Pineda and RHP Jose Campos from to Mariners to the Yankees in exchange for C/DH Montero and RHP Hector Noesi was an example of a trade that could very well help both teams. Most negative reaction is from fans that either have undervalued how good of a pitcher Pineda is or just simply feel they have to give up nothing of value in a trade. As a baseball fan, I like this trade because I feel both teams improved themselves.
Lets look at Pineda for a minute. For a terrible Seattle Mariners team, the 22 year old went 9-10 with a 3.74 ERA in 28 starts. That it in itself should not excite you as a fan. But in 171 IP, he struck out 173 batters and gave up just 133 hits. He was 8th in the AL in WHIP 1.099, 5th in the AL in hits per 9 IP with 7 and 2nd in the AL in Ks per 9 IP (9.105). He also made the AL All Star team and finished 5th in the rookie of the year voting. He has a high 90s fastball and a very good slider and instantly slides into the top of the Yankees rotation. Campos is a young pitcher (will not be 20 until July) who the Yankees can put in their farm system with the potential to help them in the future either on the major league team or as a trade chip to get another piece down the road.
Montero showed in September that he could hit at the major league level. But, as a catcher, he wasn't as fine-tuned as fellow catching prospects Austin Romine and Gary Sanchez defensively. But, theres no question he is a hitter, bursting on the scene last year to hit .328 (20-61) with 4 HR and 12 RBI as a September call-up. The Mariners have a hitter they can instantly put in the middle of their order. Seattle also has the flexibility to play him at catcher, 1st base or as a designated hitter; something the Yankees could not do. Hector Noesi pitched primarily as a reliever last year for the Yankees. He has been a starter in the minors and should get a chance with the Mariners. Though he has upside, he is not expected to be in the same league as Pineda.
It is clear that both teams improved in this trade. The Yankees got a very young top of the rotation pitcher who will be there for a while. The Mariners got a young power hitter who they can put at catcher, 1st base or DH. Its nice to see a throwback trade, when two teams used to swap needs and improve because of one trade. Its about time!
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