Reports: Mariners trade Michael Pineda to Yankees

A potential ace is on his way out of Seattle and a young right-handed power hitter is on his way in.

According to several reports, the Mariners have traded All-Star pitcher Michael Pineda to the New York Yankees for 22-year-old catcher Jesus Montero in a four-player deal.

The team has not confirmed the trade, but according to 710 ESPN Seattle’s Shannon Drayer, Pineda’s father confirms that Pineda has been told he will be traded and that the deal is pending physicals.

Greg Johns of MLB.com reports that according to a source, the Mariners will send Pineda and minor league pitcher Jorge Campos to the Yankees in exchange for Montero and 24-year-old right-handed pitcher Hector Noesi.

According to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports, who first reported the deal, the Yankees inquired about Felix Hernandez before settling on Pineda.

Pineda went 9-10 with a 3.74 ERA while striking out 173 batters in 171 innings during his rookie season in 2011. The 22-year-old right-hander was an All-Star and had been mentioned as a rookie of the year candidate before struggling in the second half.

Last January, Montero was ranked by MLB.com as the No. 9 prospect in baseball. In July, ESPN’s Keith Law ranked Montero 21st. As a late-season call-up in 2011, Montero hit .328 with four home runs and 12 RBIs in 18 games. He hit 39 home runs over two seasons with the Yankees’ Triple-A affiliate.

Montero’s defense behind the plate has been questioned, with some believing that he is better suited to DH.

Montero was rumored to be part of a package in a potential trade for Cliff Lee in 2010 before the Mariners dealt Lee to the Rangers instead.