Yankees Michael Pineda, Dustin Ackley Avoid Arbitration

On Friday both right-handed pitcher Michael Pineda and utility man Dustin Ackley avoided arbitration by agreeing to one-year deals with the New York Yankees.

‘Big Mike’ Pineda, who turns 27 today (Happy Birthday #35!) will earn $4.3 million in 2016 after posting a career high 12 wins with a 3.51 ERA in 27 starts last season. During the first half of 2015, Pineda looked like he was in line for a Cy Young caliber year, especially after his 16-strikeout performance on Mother’s Day against the Baltimore Orioles.

Unfortunately Pineda landed on the disabled list in August with a strain in his pitching forearm and failed to regain his form when he returned, posting a 5.48 ERA over his last eight starts.

Still, the Yankees are expecting big things out of Pineda in 2016, as he’ll likely serve as the teams number two or three pitcher behind Luis Severino and the oft-injured Masahiro Tanaka.

Dustin Ackley on the other hand was acquired by the Yankees from Pineda’s former team – the Seattle Mariners right before the 2015 trade deadline. In 57 pinstripe plate-appearances, Ackley hit .288 with four home runs and 11 RBIs, spending time at first base, left field and platooning at second base.

Prior to the Yankees acquisition of Starlin Castro, the plan was for Ackley and Rob Refsnyder to split time at second base in 2016. Now, it appears as if Ackley will serve primarily as a bench option for the Yankees, pinch-hitting late in ball games and spelling Starlin Castro or Mark Teixeira in the infield when they need a day’s rest. Either way, Ackley is set to earn $3.2 million in 2016.

On a quick side note, the Yankees also signed minor league outfielder Lane Adams off waivers from the Kansas City Royals on Friday, designating the newly acquired Ronald Torreyes for assignment. In 2015, Adams slashed .281/.347/.445 with a .791 OPS across AA and AAA ball.

As we enter the week of January 18th, the Yankees still have four remaining arbitration eligible players: Ivan Nova, Nathan Eovaldi, Didi Gregorius and the flame-throwing Aroldis Chapman.