Yankees News and Notes: Trade Reaction

Forget about the Hot Stove. Last night, Brian Cashman warmed up the Yankees' sleepy winter with a flame thrower. The biggest news centered on the surprise trade of prized prospect Jesus Montero for rookie sensation Michael Pineda. So, how did the blogosphere react? See for yourself.

• Fangraphs compared what the Yankees traded for Pineda to the packages involved in other recent deals and concluded that Cashman paid pennies on the dollar.
• At The Captain's Blog, I argued if you can get past the affection for Montero, the logic behind the trade seems clear. In other words, it's ok to like the deal even if you love Montero.
• River Avenue Blues compared the trade to the Red Sox sending Hanley Ramirez to the Marlins for Josh Beckett, although Beckett was already a five-year veteran when that deal was made.
• From the other side of the fence, USS Mariner was cautiously optimistic about the deal, assuming the Mariners make other moves to fill the void left behind by Pineda, while Lookout Landing was wrestling with several conflicting emotions, but seemed relieved that King Felix was not the one who was traded.

• On the local beat, John Harper of the Daily News called the deal Brian Cashman's best trade ever, while the New York Times included rave reviews from the ever popular anonymous talent evaluator. Larry Stone of the Seattle Times was less ebullient, but offered 10 thoughts on the trade.
• Finally, Keith Law stated that both teams successfully addressed their critical needs, but gave a slight edge to the Mariners because of greater certainty associated with Montero's bat. Law also provides more insight into Jose Campos, who also gets very favorable reviews from John Sickels and Prospect Instinct.

Almost immediately after news of the trade broke, the Yankees also reached a tentative agreement with veteran right hander Hiroki Kuroda. Does the addition of Kuroda and Pineda once again make the Yankees the favorites in the AL East? Sports Illustrated's Cliff Corcoran thinks so.

As if his evening wasn't busy enough, Jon Heyman also reported that Cashman has inquired about free agent first baseman Carlos Pena. With the DH slot now wide open, perhaps the Yankees envision a Pena/Andruw Jones platoon?

In what now seems like rather anti-climatic news, the Yankees are no longer believed to be suitors for Cuban outfielder Yoennis Cespedes.