Major League Baseball

Sources: Mariners trade Pineda to Yanks

Published Jan. 13, 2012 12:00 a.m. ET

share

facebookxredditlink

foxsports

A little more than one month before the start of spring training, the New York Yankees acquired the starting pitcher they so desperately needed.

The Yankees have reached agreement with the Mariners on a trade that will bring All-Star right-hander Michael Pineda to New York for catcher/first baseman Jesus Montero and right-hander Hector Noesi, major-league sources confirmed to FOXSports.com.

The deal, which also sends minor-league right-hander Jose Campos to the Yankees, will be announced after the players pass physical examinations.

The trade addresses the principal interest for both teams. The Mariners, who finished last in the majors in runs scored the past two seasons, need offense. The Yankees, done in by a suspect rotation in the last two Octobers, need pitching.

Montero, 22, was regarded as one of the top young power hitters in the minor leagues last year. He fueled the hype with a .996 OPS as a part-time designated hitter in September. This marks the second time the Mariners have tried to trade for Montero; he would have gone to Seattle if the Mariners had dealt Cliff Lee to New York in July 2010, as they very nearly did.

Pineda, 22, made the All-Star team during a sensational rookie season in 2011. He went 9-10 with a 3.74 ERA in 28 starts. Now, he faces the challenge of meaningful games in a hitter-friendly ballpark — two things he did not contend with in Seattle.

Noesi, who turns 25 later this month, went 2-2 with a 4.47 ERA in 30 big-league appearances with the Yankees last year. He seems likely to pitch out of Seattle’s bullpen, although he has starting experience.

Campos, a 19-year-old Venezuelan, went 5-5 with a 2.32 ERA in 14 starts at short-season Class A Everett last year.

share

Get more from Major League Baseball Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more

in this topic

Major League Baseball