Pineda is an exciting talent who I hope to see in a Mariner's uniform within the next year. But not now. This is not the time to push Pineda - there definitely is not the need to win now nor is there a gaping whole in the starting 5, that must be filled now.
I would keep Pineda in Tacoma until he develops confidence and has a desire to use at least on occasion a breaking ball or change up. Let him develop, so when he does make it to the major leagues he has become more of a complete player who can compete and succeed. There's no doubting his physical abilities but force him to become a complete player. Don't arrest his development by prematurely promoting him - would Jose Lopez have developed differently or even a better example is Betancout if they had spent another year or two in the minors with the direction to become more selective hitters before they would be allowed to advance, but for sure they could not have turned out any worse with regards to the potential they both had (Bavasi should not have awarded them multiyear contracts so early in their careers - it took their incentive away to become better players, it actually incentivized them to continue in their current level of performance).
I spent several years out in NJ, where I was subjected to more than my share of Yankee's broadcasts. But one thing that I rmember Joe Torre saying in an interview - at the major league level we are not about developing players we are about winning. Yes the Yankees with their expansive payroll is a different beast, but there is a lesson to be learned. The M's should not use the active roster as an extension of the farm system, with regards to player development.
When players are breaking into the league there will always be some adjustment and learning necessary in order to have continued success but that should be to polish the players skills not to develop them.
The M's are not at a point where the need a pitcher. So let's be a little patient, Pineda is still very young and he should be given additional time to develop and hone his skills as a pitcher so he will be able to hit the deck running.
I do not dogmatically hold to this POV in all cases. For example how the season is going with the M's, I would not mind if they dumped Bradley, Kotchman and Jose Lopez and played Mike Wilson at DH, Tui at 3B and Mangini at 1B going from this point forward to see how they work out - I don't suspect they would perform any worse than the players I listed who are currently holding a position on the M's roster.
But the need for patience is much more important with a very young player such as Pineda whose development may take a hit with premature advancement.
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