TAMPA — Michael Pineda, the big right-hander who was the key acquisition of the Yankees offseason, is already feeling right at home.
He showed up early for spring training yesterday, pitched a bullpen session, ran sprints with his new teammates and met the media. He is enthusiastic, has a winning personality and loves being with the Yankees. He also has struck up a friendship with All-Star second baseman Robinson Cano.
Pineda, 23, is determined to work on his weaknesses, including improving his his two-seam fastball and changeup.
All in all, it was quite an impressive day for the 6-foot-7, 260-pounder, a most positive first impression.
“I’m ready to go,’’ said Pineda, who came over from the Mariners in the trade for Jesus Montero. The Yankees gave up a tremendous hitter in Montero, but they think they have another rotation terminator in Pineda to pair with lefty CC Sabathia.
The Yankees are going to need Pineda to be a pitching force. He knows the expected destination in New York is October and the World Series.
“I’m excited because this is my first day practicing with the New York Yankees,’’ he said as he proudly brushed the NY on the chest of his warm-up shirt. “I had good work today, good running, lots of good work.’’
Here is the best part: Pineda chose to come early to camp to get comfortable in a new situation. He wants to get off on the right foot.
“It’s my first time living in Tampa and I don’t know [much about the area], so I wanted to come early and get in a couple practices before spring training starts,’’ he explained. “I like to come in early.”
Pineda, a native of the Dominican Republic, could have used an interpreter for his interview, but opted to speak in English, saying he wants to improve that skill as well. He admitted his numbers tailed off in the second half last season because his arm grew tired. Pineda was 8-6 with a 3.03 ERA in 113 innings in the first half and 1-4 with a 5.12 ERA in 58 second-half innings.
The trade took him by surprise when he was notified by Seattle general manager Jack Zduriencik.
“He said I was traded to the Yankees,’’ Pineda said. “There was an interpreter, and the Latin guy was talking to me in Spanish and saying, ‘No way, really?’ ’’
Pineda is thrilled with the change in every way.
“The Yankees are a good team, they have lots of good players,’’ he said “It felt good. My mother was excited because she has lots of family in New York and she never had come to America and now she is coming to New York. The whole family is excited.’’
He said he will “work hard to help my team make the playoffs.’’
Knowing Cano makes a big difference, too.
“Cano is my friend,’’ Pineda said. “He talked to me a lot at the All-Star Game. When the Yankees were in Seattle he came over to talk to me and said, ‘You’re a good guy, you’re pitching great, you’re focused all the time.’ It was nice that he talked to me because I am such a young guy. He said he was very excited for me to play in the All-Star Game my first year. It’s beautiful. I love him.’’
Cano has given Pineda a heads up about playing in New York.
“He told me to focus on my game and work and that New York is a beautiful team, the best team,” Pineda said. “My head is [spinning] a little bit. He said, ‘Don’t worry, man. I’ll prepare you, no worries.’ ’’
Off the field Pineda likes to fish and loves to cook. He is looking forward to learning from Sabathia because the two are similar in size. When Sabathia’s name came up, Pineda smiled and signaled with both hands that Sabathia is a big pitcher, too.
“He’s a great guy, I love this guy, too,’’ Pineda said.
After first glance, New York is going to love Michael Pineda.