Always good to see the new guy arrive in camp early. Michael Pineda threw a bullpen session today and said he wants to learn from CC Sabathia and that he needs to work on his changeup.

• A.J. Burnett to the Pirates is still being reported as "close." A trade that would've brought back Travis Hafner from the Indians was discussed, but is no longer available. Cleveland is still reportedly interested, as is Anaheim.
• The more I hear about Cuban outfielder Jorge Soler, the more I support the Yankees signing him. He's supposedly just 19 years old, and has true five-tool potential.
• Seedlings to Stars profiled the Yankees' farm system.
• Injury/medical expert Will Carroll speculated on which "injured aces" would return with strong seasons. (It could help you in your fantasy league.)
• The Rays extended the contract of manager Joe Maddon through the 2015 season.
• A couple players avoided arbitration today: CF Adam Jones will receive $6.2M from the Orioles in 2012; RHP Casey Janssen will receive $5.9M for the next two years from the Blue Jays.

Update: The Yankees appear to be in the mix for Cuban outfielder Jorge Soler, whom I would prefer over any trade candidates. It was believed that Soler was going to sign with the Chicago Cubs, but that report his since been shot down.

The New York Yankees made a classic depth for depth trade earlier this off-season when they dealt prized catching prospect Jesus Montero to the Seattle Mariners for their own prized starting pitcher, Michael Pineda. The thinking within the Yankees organization was that the team had enough depth at the catching position to allow for the loss of Montero.

One reason many opposed the Montero trade was that the Yankees had enough pitching depth to make a trade for a starting pitcher unnecessary. Take that depth, add Michael Pineda, and the Yankees now have a huge abundance of starting pitchers, which is a great problem to have.

The Yankees have "untouchables" in CC Sabathia, Michael Pineda, Ivan Nova, and Hiroki Kuroda, "fringe, but not likely to be traded" pitchers in Freddy Garcia and Phil Hughes, and "youngsters" Adam Warren, David Phelps, and even Graham Stoneburner. Add Manny Banuelos and Dellin Betances to the mix, and the Yankees have eleven pitchers that could be in the five man rotation in the next couple of years.

For the future, we can rule out Hiroki Kuroda and Freddy Garcia. Kuroda is likely a one to two year Yankee, while Garcia is almost certainly in his last season with the team. (Not talking contracts, talking likelihood of future signing with team.) Those two will be replaced by Stoneburner, Banuelos, Betances, and any other prospects that shoot through the system.

So, the Yankees have a lot of pitching depth. That is not a problem at all, but could it be a solution for the Yankees outfield of the future? Follow me after the jump for more.

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If there is one thing we’ve grown to love as Yankee fans, it’s home grown stars. For years, we’ve grown accustomed to Derek Jeter, Jorge Posada, Andy Pettitte, and Mariano Rivera as the faces of the franchise. In recent years, Robinson Cano has captivated us, and looks to be next in line to carry the torch (some may argue he already is).

Outsiders like Mark Teixiera, Curtis Granderson, and Nick Swisher, although beloved by fans, just don’t seem to connect with us like those who came up through the ranks of the Yankee organization. This is why losing Jesus Montero hurt so much, and why Michael Pineda will always be looked upon with such scrutiny, no matter what he does in pinstripes.

That said, let’s take a look at what’s on the horizon to see if we can identify the Yankee great, hopefully in the mold of someone like Derek Jeter or any of the 'Core Four'.

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In December, Alex Rodriguez flew to Germany* to receive platelet-rich plasma therapy on his right knee and left shoulder. Most of the evidence supporting the benefits of PRP is anecdotal though. One scientific study suggests there is little to no benefit of PRP compared to regular saline solution. But A-Rod apparently went on the advice of Kobe Bryant**, who had the therapy twice last year with the same German doctor. If we're going to believe it worked for Kobe, it would be natural to think there'd be an improvement in his stats. There isn't. He's averaging virtually the same number of points, rebounds, assists and steals (per 36 minutes). He is playing about five more minutes per game, but he's only played 27 games, so we have yet to see if he maintains that for another 55 contests (FYI, he played in all 82 games last year, so health wasn't much of an issue, making it tougher to claim PRP made him healthier).

Before A-Rod ever flew across the pond, the Yankees checked with MLB and WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency) on the permissibility of the therapy (after all, A-Rod's had illegal and semi-legal procedures in the past). They both OK'ed it and off he flew.

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A.J. Burnett... Pittsburgh... probably gonna happen... yada, yada, yada

• Assuming the trade happens, where would Burnett rank in terms of all-time Yankees busts? (Hey, he stayed healthy, which is more than Carl Pavano can say.)
• Some of the early arrivals to Tampa include The Captain, Manny Banuelos, Dellin Betances, Justin Maxwell, Ivan Nova, Ramiro Pena, Dave Robertson, Austin Romine and Cory Wade, according to LoHud.
• Alex Belth profiled one of the forgotten new members of the team: RHP Hiroki Kuroda. It's a really great read that deserves your attention.
• EJ Fagan previewed the 2012 bullpen over at TYA.
• It looks like Hector Noesi will finally get a real shot to be a starter in Seattle.
• David Ortiz and the Red Sox agreed on a one-year, $14.6M contract.
• I get dozens of emails each week about one thing or another to promote, but this one is actually unique and intriguing: A place to find (and then play) recreational sports in your area. We spend so much time watching sports that we often forget that they began because people enjoyed playing them.

I am both a Yankees fan and a Buffalo Bills fan. For those of you who are aware of football (everyone), it is obvious that I watch sports from two completely different viewpoints. On one hand, I am a humongous Yankees fan and am treated to annual playoff appearences and constant big moves to improve the team. On the other hand, I am just as big a Bills fan, and have been stuck with 12 seasons with no playoff appearances.

This post is not to complain about yet another playoff-less season for the Bills. The title of this piece, and the fact that this is a Yankees blog, make that obvious. This post is to reflect on how amazing it is, year after year, to be able to smile after another disappointing season of football at the thought of being able to watch my beloved Yankees again. This post is to enjoy the fact that this years team could be even better than last years. And this post is to relish the fact that we'll have yet another new shiny toy this year. So tell me, what do you most look forward to this season?