The Tale of Two Pitchers

That time of year has come – pitchers and catchers have reported to spring training to lose that extra weight that only those stationary players can put on.  In honor of their lackluster 2011 post-season performance, let’s focus in on the Yankees and some of the moves they have made during the off-season.  First, there must be praise to whomever you please for the successful unloading of the one and only pie-master, AJ Burnett.  We won’t miss you buddy.  In exchange for this once promising starter we received two low level prospects- and only have to pay eighteen million dollars of the thirty one million remaining on his contract.  It’s fun having money; have fun with Burnett, Pirates.  Our other big move this winter was the acquirement of Michael Pineda, the behemoth of a righty, formerly of the Seattle Mariners.  We unloaded our top prospect, Jesus Montero, the offensive powerhouse catcher, for the much needed young starter.  Though unfortunate, we have decent enough catchers and power to spare (when our team feels like hitting), so I cannot help but be happy with this trade.  As my dad likes to quote someone whose name escapes me, “pitching is 90% of baseball, and the other ten percent?  Pitching.”

            While I mostly agree with my Dad, Money Ball would beg to differ; and ironically, this is summed up perfectly when you look at Pineda’s stats last season.  This guy rocked.  Batters hit only .211 against him, he had a 3.7 era, and a 1.10 WHIP.  And that was his rookie season.  Here’s the kicker: Pineda had a losing record.  Thanks to one of the most awful offenses in the history of baseball, Pineda finished 9 and 10.  So, is pitching really 100% of baseball?  Guess not quite.

            But this bodes well for the Yankees; we have had the hitting for the past few seasons, but our pitching has been a mess.  We have the OBP we need, more than enough, and now we have the pitching to aid it.  This season we can look forward to not having to strictly overpower teams with our bats (consider our victories in the post season, both games we scored ten runs).  As the pitching staff begins to loosen up, we are constantly coming closer to the 2012 regular season.  Not too much left to say.  Twenty eight, anyone?

-I'd also like to add that Sebathia shed fifteen pounds off his three-hundred-something frame this winter; don't take that first comment too seriously pitchers and catchers.