MICHAEL PINEDA IS READY TO PLAY!

I know what you are thinking...."IT'S ABOUT TIME!" Am I right? Well if so, it's a common theme. We have been waiting for Michael Pineda to finally contribute to the team. We gave up our top prospect and let's face it, we are not patient. We want results and we want them fast no matter what or who we are talking about. We have high expectations so waiting for two years has been hard for us.

Well hopefully, we will not have to wait any longer. It's been a very long two years but this could be the year that Pineda is ready to play ball, read more HERE. Not to get ahead of myself here....but I am stoked to say the least. There was so much hype about how young he is and how he could bring a young, fresh arm to our rotation for years to come. I feel like we were teased for so long, and we have been holding our breath. I know I have been anxiously waiting like a little girl waiting for Santa Claus to come. Mock if you must....but I want to see this kid shine.

His first half of 2011 was huge. He ran out of gas at the end but a 3.74ERA your first year isn't too shabby. Now he is back and he is hungry to contribute. It's time to forget about how disappointing the last 2 years have been and just focus on the future. The sports world is counting us out already. Fine by me, I will gladly take the role of the underdog. It's more fun to say "I told you so" if you come up big, right? It could happen. Pineda could be a stabilizing force to the rotation if he gets that chance.

I am ready for Spring Training, we all are here at Bleeding Yankee Blue. Let's face it winter has sucked, and it is time to hear the sounds of cracking bats and see some swings and misses. The more of those swings and misses that come from a Yankee pitcher the better. Of course, a rotation spot won't just be handed to Pineda. Like every other player out there, it has to be earned....and he has a challenge waiting for him.

It's going to be a battle for this last spot, and I can't wait. Bring it fellas, because it is time to show all of those who doubt our rotation and call us weak. Pineda has the likes of David Phelps and Adam Warren to fight off for this last spot. We already know what Phelps and Warren can do, so now it is time to shake things up a bit. I know he is going to be hungry, because if he doesn't earn this last spot he is likely to be sent back to the minors and . He's hungry for it, he is in shape and he is at camp already. This isn't a game....it's fighting for a job. I feel like I just made this sound like a Wild Wild West show down. If so, time to bring out the big guns boys.

So forget about the past and trading away Jesus Montero. That is so 2 years ago and he is still fighting to make a good name for himself in Seattle anyways. Time to focus on the here and now. Michael Pineda is back ladies and gentlemen....things are about to get interesting. Game on, and show us what you got!



--Jeana Bellezza, BYB Senior Writer and Editor
Twitter: @NyPrincessJ






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