Well...at least Pineda is still here?

A few minutes ago, I read a piece on River Ave Blues (my favorite Yankees blog) about the fact that the Yankees have an abundance of upper level hitters (did I just say that?), but are lacking in the pitching department. Then, news broke that Nathan Eovaldi needs about 12 elbow surgeries.

Well, the Yankees do have a young starter – just 27 – with top of the rotation stuff. The only problem is that he’s wildly inconsistent and constantly frustrating. He is one of the those pitchers than can strike out 10 men in five innings, yet give up 9 hits and 6 runs – all with two outs. It’s no secret his inconsistency has frustrated Yankee coaches. He has been on the cusp of taking it to the next level, but just levels off or goes backwards, for whatever reason. I’m not sure if he is lazy, lacks confidence, doesn’t work hard, or what. Maybe that’s not fair. Maybe it’s none of those things. I don’t know. All I know is there is a good pitcher in there with ugly stats.

The good news is, he’s under control for another season, which is really helpful given Eovaldi’s injury and a thin starting pitching market. The fact of the matter is, there aren’t many better options than Pineda. Maybe Chad Green and/or Luis Cessa will eventually replace him in the rotation, but with question marks around Luis Severino and the lack of upper level pitching prospects, Pineda is going to get the change to keep going out there every five days.

I started collecting Pineda after the 2012 trade, and really accumulated a lot of his cards while he was injured for two years. I can’t say I hound his cards like I do Tino or Ty Hensley, but I will always take Pinedas I don’t have, and will always pounce on a good deal. Here is autograph #13 that I own, as well as unique Pineda #141.