When Andrew Marchand wrote this article, Michael Pineda had made two spring starts for the Yankees. He's now made a third, and he still doesn't look like the guy the Yankees thought they were getting when they surrendered Jesus Montero. It's only the middle of March, so Pineda has time to get going, but Marchand wonders if Pineda could be ticketed for triple-A out of camp:
Marchand: Michael Pineda To Minors?
When I look at what the Yankees may do with their starting staff, the more I think about it the more I think Michael Pineda could start the season in the minors.
If Pineda doesn’t show control of 95-96 mph stuff, then wouldn’t the Yankees and Pineda be better served if he worked on things under the lesser microscope of the minors? It is one way for the Yankees to contain expectations, while continuing to foster Pineda’s growth.
I think it's still a long shot, especially now with Freddy Garcia hurt, but it wouldn't be absolutely crazy. If Pineda continues to scuffle in camp, he could try to work things out in the minors, and if the Yankees left him down there for a few weeks they would gain an extra year of team control. Handy reasons, both of them.
One more time: it’s early. Pineda could be great in 2012. But the Yankees probably expected a little more in the early going than they’ve seen.
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