New York Yankees: Has The String Run Out On Michael Pineda

The Yankees have proven themselves to be patient with Michael Pineda despite being in the thick of the playoffs race. Things may have reached the point of no return and this very shaky marriage could soon come to an end

The New York Yankees have gone beyond the scope of mere frustration with Michael Pineda. For a host of reasons, he’s got to be at the top of Joe Girardi’s list of who can give me a headache the quickest. And for that reason alone, the Yankees may have no choice but to part ways with this “thrower” (I’d say pitcher but it doesn’t apply) over the winter.

Inconsistent is his middle name. And if there’s one thing a manager doesn’t need from his starting pitchers, it’s that up and down, who knows what we’re gonna get from him today mentality that causes everyone a lot of grief and anguish.

And it doesn’t even start on the day they are pitching. It starts the night before when you have to think ahead to their game tomorrow by juggling, or maybe not even using your bullpen as you would normally because you’re just not sure what you’re going to get tomorrow.

Something is not quite right with him (Pineda) and we only have to recall the infamous pine tar incident to be reminded that his head doesn’t quite measure up to his arm.

Okay, let’s take just a minute and look at their numbers this year to see what inconsistent really means. Here’s Pineda, are you ready?

For durability, he gets an “A” (26 starts). For ERA, he all but fails with a “D-” (5.12). His strikeouts per nine innings is excellent for an “A-plus” (10.24). Home runs surrendered? That’s a big “F” (22). Here’s the kicker. In 26 starts, he’s averaging about 5 1/2 innings pitched. In only two of his starts this year has he managed to see the seventh inning. It’s almost like after the fifth inning he says to himself, “Good job, Michael. You deserve a break today.”

His overall record this year stands at 6-11, and he has a WHIP of 1.34 which is considered pretty high.

So, let’s look back now. We see a starting pitcher who doesn’t give you a lot of innings, has the propensity to give up home runs and gives up more than a hit per inning (158 in 147 IP). Translation: He’s a mediocre (at best) starting pitcher.

But, let’s take a step back for a second. You might recall that Pineda came to the Yankees in a trade with the Seattle Mariners that sent what was then their number one prospect, catcher Jose Montero west.

Montero ballooned to 257 lbs that spring and became the laughing stock of baseball. He was last seen in the majors in the previous season and is now tendering his wares at AAA Buffalo. The point being that no matter what happens with Pineda, the Yankees did not make a bad trade.

For Pineda though, he had started strong in the previous season, but then endured typical rookie struggles as the season progressed. One of Pineda’s high points was starting at home against the Yankees on May 27 when he was already 6-2. He threw five innings that night for a 4-3 Seattle victory.