| By Chris Crawford |  | By 01-26-2012 |
Just 16 days until pitchers and catchers report. I don't know about you, but I am on pins and/or needles. A final thought (from me, anyway) about the Pineda trade
Like many of you, I was following along on twitter as the many beat-writers tweeted various interesting quips from the parties involved with the trade. The most talked about response was Yankee General Manager Brian Cashman’s exclamation that Jesus Montero was maybe the most talented player he’s ever traded, but I was struck by a different quote.
“I’m feeling great and I’m beyond excited" Pineda said. "I never thought I would become a New York Yankee so early into my career. This is the best thing in the world.”
Now, maybe all Pineda was trying to say was that he was excited, and the translation got mixed up, or any number of things. But –- did anyone else get the impression that maybe he was saying that this was an inevitability? I realize these players grow up idolizing the pinstripes –- and maybe he would have said that about any team he was traded to (I never thought I’d be a Nippon Ham Fighter so early in my career, come to think of it, that’s probably been said quite a bit), but I found the remark a bit off-putting.
No, I’m not saying that I’m glad Pineda is gone now or that I don’t want players who don’t want to be here or any of that cliché garbage that gets spewed by the media. I’m just saying that the remark stayed with me, for whatever reason. I wish him well, when he’s not pitching against Seattle.
Links, and not the sausage kind
Dave Cameron of USS Mariner fame takes a look at the current depth chart now and suggests what could happen next.
The Voice of the Mariners has information on a free autograph signing session in Alderwood on Friday. I won't spoil it, but if I was in town/collected autographs, this would be a must-see.
Finally, Shannon Drayer talked to Felix Hernandez about the rotation and some other good stuff. I love Felix; I would link something about Felix everyday if I could.
The weather outside is: Inconsistent
The average temperature in Peoria during March is 78 degrees, but that can vary drastically, both based on when you go and because weather is just not predictable. Using the dates I'm going -- and really, why go any other time? -- the average temperature stays in that same range, but I've been there when it's 90, and I've been there when it's in the low 50's, too. Long story short, it's important to pack for any type of weather. At very least, bring a sweatshirt and pants for the nights -- the sun beats you down, you will get crispy, and you will freeze at night. Oh, and don’t forget to bring sunscreen, skin cancer is no laughing matter.
Alex Carson is up next. I’ve run out of clever things to say.
countdown-to-peoria:-16-days
Comments
The following 11 comment(s) for this article are shown below:
| 1. By: dewey on 01-26-2012 01:57:39 Im guessing there was no problem understanding what Big Mike was saying other then i love having a chance to win.I would never hold that against any pleyer the good ones make money the great ones make alot and they all allways say i want a ring .It might be awhile here but it might not be for those lousy Yanks.Good luck Big Mike and better luck Montero gooooo Mariners... |
| 2. By: Edman on 01-26-2012 11:26:13 It may just be a language translation thing, Chris, but it appears that Mike isn't as team loyal as Felix. It's really hard to understand true meaning when trying to translate spanish in your mind to english to your mouth. |
| 3. By: rocketdawg31 on 01-26-2012 12:45:06 I think what Michael Pineda was actually referencing was the fact that he was so obviously a key factor in Mariner plans, that he would do what many other do: spend his first six years there, then deliberate on where he might want to go at age 28ish, with the Yankees a possibility. He's a smart guy as well as uber-talented and humble, but he knows- he HAS to know- how highly he's regarded in baseball. I just think he knew the Yankees would likely come calling for him at some point- like they do on many, many premium talents. But he just didn't anticipate a trade there- and a serious chance to win championships- at the age of 23. I don't really get a "Seattle sucks, glad I escaped" vibe from the comment. I do know that guys like him are SO rare, kids that just grasp the mental side of pitching. Gods, I hated parting with him, but looking at it now maybe it WAS inevitable. I'm a lifelong Yankee hater...but when he pitches (except against us), it'll be a little harder to truly root against the Yankees. |
| 4. By: Galway on 01-26-2012 12:56:57 I got a losing sucks vibe and that was his experience here. He is a competitor, he wants to win. I hate the yankees, but you know as a competitor you always have a chance to win. I can't fault that at all. |
| 5. By: Mackie on 01-26-2012 13:11:31 I hope Pineda didn't feel that way about his time in Seattle (that is, it sucked and he's relieved to be gone), but if so, that's the way it is. I don't think it makes much difference either way. What I'm thinking more about now, and what I believe makes the most difference for the Mariners, is how Montero views his arrival in Seattle. I hope he views it as a great opportunity to show the baseball world what he can do, and that he will make the best of his new situation. There will be some pressure on Montero from the start, but if he responds well and performs at expected levels I think we made a good trade. I'm not worried about whether he can play behind the plate or not, either. We needed hitting, and he's all about the BAT, baby! 8-) |
| 6. By: jd7979 on 01-26-2012 13:50:01 Chris, I meant to post this comment the other day after your last countdown piece but I didn't have a chance. I thought it was funny how you said that you were a Beastie Boys loving 16-year-old who was camping the day Randy Johnson got traded because I was a Beastie Boys loving 18-year-old and they just so happened to be performing that night at the Key Arena with A Tribe Called Quest (Best Concert Ever). When my buddies and I finally made it back to the car after the show we couldn't tune into KJR fast enough to find out if Randy got traded or not. Anyway just a funny coincidence that I thought I would share. |
| 7. By: maqman on 01-26-2012 13:57:30 The Yankees are the best known baseball team in the world. Latino kids grow up wanting to be part of the best known team. Luckily in Venezuela the M's are very well known and appreciated but they are not the Yankees - yet. Montero wasn't crying about leaving the Yankees or coming to Seattle. I think we traded equals. |
| 8. By: Missthosepilots on 01-26-2012 14:02:09 Having lived in Florida and traveled in the islands, kids grow up thinking Pinstripes! As Maqman said the M's have made good inroads which is helpful since on a map to them, Seattle in on the other side of the world. Keep Felix around and maybe some more will dream of taking his place. |
| 9. By: Chris Crawford on 01-26-2012 14:21:51 I wanted to go to that concert so bad, JD. So, so bad. |
| 10. By: brockfs1 on 01-26-2012 15:35:44 I'll be at that Autograph signing! If anyone else plans on going i suggest getting there a lil early It'll be a mess |
| 11. By: Rudolf on 01-26-2012 17:59:44 I was in a dirty bar in Pullman, WA when I read that Randy was traded. My Licensed to Ill t-shirt was outlawed in sixth grade because a classmate's mom raised a stink. Tribe Called Quest is also my favorite rap group ever. Love you guys! |
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