It wouldn't be an offseason if the Yankees weren't making major deals and signings. New York gave their pitching rotation a facelift by signing Hiroki Kuroda to a one-year, $10 million deal and by trading coveted catcher Jesus Montero and pitcher Hector Noesi to Seattle for minor leaguer Jose Campos and rookie standout Michael Pineda.
Despite his losing 13-16 record, Kuroda put up impressive numbers for the Dodgers last year with a 3.07 ERA and 161 strikeouts in 202 innings. Pineda, going on 23 years old, broke onto the scene in his first season, striking out 173 and holding opposing batters to a .211 average in 171 innings. A rough second half made his 9-10 record and 3.74 ERA seem pedestrian, but the dominant six-foot-seven righty looks like a perennial All-Star. The two additions transform a top-heavy rotation into one of the deepest staffs in the league. With C.C. Sabathia, Kuroda, Pineda, Ian Nova, and Phil Hughes, Burnett might find himself on the outside looking in. Breathe easy Yankee fans. Your team officially has a legitimate starting three for the playoffs.
[via MLB and Pin Stripe Alley]
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