Cashman rebuilds Yankees rotation 

Trust New York to liven things up on a Friday night.

After staying largely silent throughout the offseason, the New York Yankees awoke from their slumber by acquiring right-hander Michael Pineda and farmhand Jose Campos from the Seattle Mariners in exchange for catcher Jesus Montero and pitcher Hector Noesi. Indeed, Yankees GM Brian Cashman again proved why he is one of the best general managers in baseball. Often he’s not given due credit because he's had the game’s highest payroll throughout his career. However, in a matter of hours, Cashman rebuilt the Yankees’ starting rotation.

What they got

Yankees: Pineda should slot in as the Yankees' No. 2 starter, between C.C. Sabathia and Ivan Nova. But make no mistake -- the 22-year-old right-hander is destined to lead a rotation at some point in the future. He went just 9-10 with a 3.74 ERA with Seattle last year, displaying an overpowering fastball that sat in the 95-100 mph range and that looks even harder and gets on hitters quicker because of his 6-foot-7 frame with late, explosive, four-seam movement. His slider is nasty, too, and as with his fastball, he possesses uncanny command of the pitch in the zone. He also backdoors the slider to lefties, putting it on the black at will. His changeup has good deception and arm speed.

The Yankees also get a promising prospect in Campos, 19. At 6-4, 200 pounds, Campos owns an electric 93-96 mph fastball with downward plane. His slider probably is his best breaking pitch, but his 12-6 curveball rarely makes the strike zone. However, a young man with this type of arm is no throw-in.

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