Upon his arrival in New York Friday, Mariners GM Jack Zduriencik said he “feels bad” for his Yankee counterpart, Brian Cashman, over the loss of Michael Pineda for the entire season. Zduriencik said he never realized Pineda was damaged goods when he traded the 23-year-old pitcher to the Yankees in a January blockbuster that netted Seattle catcher/DH Jesus Montero and RHP Hector Noesi.
“I feel bad for Brian, and I feel very bad for the Yankees,” Zduriencik said prior to Friday night’s Yankees-Mariners series opener at Yankee Stadium. “I wish this thing would’ve been a little different. But again, the fact that Pineda’s so young and he’s strong, he should bounce back from this.”
Zduriencik explained that, from his standpoint, he “never tries to win any trade.” Zduriencik said Seattle needed offense and the Yankees needed pitching. Zduriencik said that, from his perspective, the trade looked to be a fairly even deal at the time it was consummated, and one that would eventually pay off for both sides.
“It could happen to anybody,” added Zduriencik, who said he viewed Pineda as a solid No. 2 starter behind ace Felix Hernandez prior to the trade. “It’s just very unfortunate circumstances, but we’re probably his biggest fans outside the Yankees.”
So far, the traded has been completely one-sided. Montero belted his fifth home run of the season Friday against the Yankees. Hector Noesi, also acquired by Seattle in the Pineda trade, makes his seventh start of the season Saturday.
Jose Campos, a 19-year-old righthander whom the Yankees also acquired in the trade, is on the shelf with elbow inflammation. He was 3-0 with a 4.01 ERA for Class A Charleston.