View source for Joel Piñeiro

{{short description|Puerto Rican baseball player (born 1978)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2024}}
{{Infobox baseball biography
|name=Joel Piñeiro
|image=Joel Piñeiro on July 23, 2011.jpg
|width=240
|caption=Piñeiro pitching for the Angels in 2011.
|team=
|position=[[Pitcher]]
|bats=Right
|throws=Right
|birth_date={{birth date and age|1978|9|25}}
|birth_place=[[Río Piedras, Puerto Rico]]
|debutleague = MLB
|debutdate=August 8
|debutyear=2000
|debutteam=Seattle Mariners
|finalleague = MLB
|finaldate=September 25
|finalyear=2011
|finalteam=Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
|statleague = MLB
|stat1label=[[Win–loss record (pitching)|Win–loss record]]
|stat1value=104–93
|stat2label=[[Earned run average]]
|stat2value=4.41
|stat3label=[[Strikeout]]s
|stat3value=1,058
|teams=
* [[Seattle Mariners]] ({{mlby|2000}}–{{mlby|2006}})
* [[Boston Red Sox]] ({{mlby|2007}})
* [[St. Louis Cardinals]] ({{mlby|2007}}–{{mlby|2009}})
* [[Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim]] ({{mlby|2010}}–{{mlby|2011}})
|medaltemplates=
{{MedalSport|Men's [[baseball]]}}
{{MedalCountry|{{bb|PUR}}}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[World Baseball Classic]]}}
{{MedalSilver|[[2017 World Baseball Classic|2017 Los Angeles]]|Team}}
}}

'''Joel Alberto Piñeiro''' ({{IPA|es|xoˈel piˈɲejɾo}}, {{IPAc-en|dʒ|oʊ|ˈ|ɛ|l|_|p|ɪ|n|ˈ|j|ɛər|oʊ}}; born September 25, 1978) is a Puerto Rican former professional [[baseball]] [[pitcher]]. He played in [[Major League Baseball]] (MLB) for the [[Seattle Mariners]], [[Boston Red Sox]], [[St. Louis Cardinals]], and [[Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim]]. He officially retired after appearing on the [[2017 World Baseball Classic]] roster for Puerto Rico.

==Professional career==

===Seattle Mariners===
Piñeiro began the {{mlby|2004}} baseball season as a promising starting [[pitcher]] for the [[Seattle Mariners]]. The previous two years he started in 60 games, won a total of 30 games, and produced a 3.52  [[earned run average|ERA]]. 2004 though, turned into a dismal year with Piñeiro posting a 4.67 ERA and the first losing record of his career (6 wins – 11 losses). Piñeiro suffered another problem when he was placed on the disabled list July 27, 2004, with a sore elbow<ref>[https://www.espn.com/espn/wire?section=mlb&id=1847693 Mariners place Pineiro on 15-day disabled list]</ref> and subsequently missed the remainder of the season.<ref>[https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=1867092 Mariners not pushing Pineiro after elbow injury]</ref>

Piñeiro continued his struggles in {{mlby|2005}} and was optioned to Triple-A [[Tacoma Rainiers|Tacoma]] on May 14, 2005.<ref>[https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=2060495 Reliever Mateo will start vs. Yankees]</ref> He returned to the majors and started in 30 total games; however he was unable to return to his previous form and posted a 5.62 ERA for the year.

In {{mlby|2006}}, Piñeiro was pulled from the starting rotation again on August 26, and placed in the bullpen.<ref>[http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/baseball/archives/105873.asp Pineiro loses spot in rotation; Woods will take over]</ref>  His 6.36 ERA was the highest in the major leagues.

Following the 2006 season, the Mariners declined to tender Piñeiro a contract offer, making him a [[free agent]].<ref>[http://seattle.mariners.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20061212&content_id=1760228&vkey=pr_sea&fext=.jsp&c_id=sea Mariners non-tender pitcher Joel Pineiro]{{dead link|date=October 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>

[[File:Joel Piñeiro.jpg|left|100px|thumb|Piñeiro with the [[Boston Red Sox|Red Sox]] in {{baseball year|2007}}.]]

===Boston Red Sox===
On January 3, {{mlby|2007}}, he reached an agreement for a one-year deal with the [[Boston Red Sox]],<ref>[https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=2718865 Red Sox, Pineiro agree to preliminary $4 million deal]</ref> where he struggled as a member of the bullpen. On July 22, he was designated for assignment in order to clear a roster spot for [[Jon Lester]]. Piñeiro cleared waivers and accepted an assignment with the [[Pawtucket Red Sox]], Boston's Triple-A affiliate, where he returned to the starting rotation.

===St. Louis Cardinals===
On July 31, 2007, Piñeiro was traded to the [[St. Louis Cardinals]], with cash considerations, for a player to be named later (minor league outfielder Sean Danielson).<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070731&content_id=2120044&vkey=news_bos&fext=.jsp&c_id=bos; |title=Sox ship Pineiro to Cardinals |access-date=2007-07-31 |archive-date=2011-06-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606230043/http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070731&content_id=2120044&vkey=news_bos&fext=.jsp&c_id=bos; |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/transactions/index.jsp?c_id=bos&year=2007&month=11 |title=Boston Red Sox Transactions: Nov 2007 |work=[[MLB.com]] |access-date=2008-08-05}}</ref>
 
In his debut start with the Cardinals on August 4 vs. the [[Washington Nationals]], he pitched 5 innings, giving up 7 hits, 5 runs (4 earned), 2 walks, 2 strikeouts, 1 home run while taking his second loss of the year in the Cardinals 12–1 loss.

In his debut home start with the Cardinals on August 9 against the [[San Diego Padres]], he out-pitched [[Chris Young (pitcher)|Chris Young]], giving up only 4 hits, 0 runs, 0 walks, and earning 4 strikeouts, lowering his ERA to 4.50 for the year in winning his second game with the Cardinals in their 5–0 win.  For the rest of 2007, Piñeiro showed some flashes of promise but general inconsistency, finishing with a record of 6–4 and posting an earned run average of 3.96 for his new team.

2008 was a season typified by inconsistency and a trip to the DL, as Piñeiro allowed home runs and 180 hits in {{frac|148|2|3}} IP, posting a 7–7 record and 5.15 ERA.  However, leading into 2009, Piñeiro reinvented his approach, utilizing a sinking fastball to pitch to contact and concede more ground balls, while limiting the number of home runs allowed.<ref>[http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/sports/stories.nsf/cardinals/story/9895B1EACF12110E8625761F00122AC4?OpenDocument St. Louis Cardinal Joel Piñeiro keeps pace] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090829151822/http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/sports/stories.nsf/cardinals/story/9895B1EACF12110E8625761F00122AC4?OpenDocument |date=2009-08-29 }}</ref> In 32 starts, Piñeiro posted a 15–12 record with a 3.49 ERA and led the major leagues with 1.1 walks per nine innings rate.

After the 2009 season, Piñeiro filed for free agency.

===Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim===
On January 22, 2010, Piñeiro signed a 2-year, $16 million deal with the [[Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Heyman |first=Jon |title=Angels, Pineiro reach 2-year deal |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/baseball/mlb/01/20/angels.pineiro/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100125011612/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/baseball/mlb/01/20/angels.pineiro/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 25, 2010 |publisher=SI.com |date=January 20, 2010 |access-date=January 27, 2010 |work=CNN}}</ref>

Because of Piñeiro's volatile performance before the 2009 season, critics were split on the deal, with most wondering whether his sinkerball would continue to be effective in 2010. Taking the sinkerball as starting point, Fangraph's Dave Allen thought, "the price was solid."<ref>{{cite web |last=Allen |first=Dave |title=Angels Sign Pineiro |url=http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/angels-sign-pineiro/ |publisher=[[Fangraphs]] |date=January 21, 2010}}</ref> [[Baseball Prospectus]]'s [[Christina Kahrl]] pointed out the different starters that failed after leaving Cardinals pitching coach Dave Duncan's guiding hand. "There are so many unknowns that it makes the proposition that he'll deliver on this deal seem dubious", concluding "this just doesn't seem like it'll go well."<ref>{{cite web |last=Kahrl |first=Christina |title=Transaction Analysis Blog: Overpaying Pineiro and Little Sarge's Big Apple Adventure |url=http://baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=9975 |date=January 22, 2010 |access-date=January 27, 2010}}</ref> Meanwhile, ESPN's [[Rob Neyer]] said quality was not so important as quantity: Piñeiro would be worth the contract if he would just pitch 200 innings per season.<ref>{{cite web |last=Neyer |first=Rob |title=Which Pineiro are Angels getting? |url=https://www.espn.com/blog/sweetspot/post/_/id/2107/which-pineiro-are-angels-getting |work=ESPN.com |date=January 21, 2010 |access-date=January 27, 2010}}</ref> His first season was cut short due to injury, starting only 23 games. The following season was met with another trip to the disabled list. He finished 7-7 in 27 games (24 starts). He became a free agent following the 2011 season.

===Philadelphia Phillies===
On January 15, 2012, Piñeiro signed a minor league deal that included an invitation to Spring Training with the [[Philadelphia Phillies]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/7465195/source-philadelphia-phillies-give-joel-pineiro-minor-league-deal |title=Source -- Philadelphia Phillies give Joel Pineiro minor league deal |work=ESPN.com |first=Jayson |last=Stark |date=January 15, 2012}}</ref> Piñeiro was released on March 19, 2012, after just six innings in Spring Training.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/03/19/phillies-release-veteran-starter-joel-pineiro/ |title=Phillies release veteran starter Joel Pineiro |work=hardballtalk.nbcsports.com|date=19 March 2012 }}</ref>

===Baltimore Orioles===
On April 11, 2012, Piñeiro signed a minor league contract with the [[Baltimore Orioles]]. He made 5 starts split between the rookie–level [[Gulf Coast League Orioles]] and Triple–A [[Norfolk Tides]] before missing the remainder of the season with a shoulder injury. Piñeiro elected free agency following the season on November 2. 

Piñeiro re-signed with the Orioles on a new minor league contract on February 1, 2013. He was released by the Orioles organization on July 30.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Minor Moves: Adcock, Loe, Reynolds, Asencio, Pineiro|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2013/07/minor-moves-reynolds-asencio-pineiro-below.html|access-date=July 22, 2024|website=mlbtraderumors.com|language=en}}</ref>

===Chicago Cubs===
On March 30, 2014, Piñeiro signed a minor league contract with the [[Chicago Cubs]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Cubs, Pineiro agree to minor league deal |url=https://www.espn.com/espn/wire?section=mlb&id=10711807 |agency=Associated Press |work=ESPN.com |access-date=April 2, 2014 |date=April 1, 2014}}</ref> On June 6, 2014, Piñeiro was released by the Cubs.

===Los Angeles Angels (second stint)===
On June 7, 2014, Piñeiro signed a minor league conteact to return to the [[Los Angeles Angels]] organization, less than a day after being released by the Cubs.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Minor Moves: Spears, Pineiro, Worth, Angels|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2014/06/minor-moves-angels-outright-three-pitchers.html|access-date=October 21, 2024|website=mlbtraderumors.com|language=en}}</ref> He was released on June 30, after being suspended 50 games for testing positive for a banned stimulant.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/11158895/joel-pineiro-former-mlb-pitcher-suspended-50-games-testing-positive-banned-stimulant |title=Joel Pineiro suspended 50 games |last=Crasnick |first=Jerry |work=[[ESPN]] |date=June 30, 2014 |access-date=May 9, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mlb-big-league-stew/joel-pineiro-released-by-the-angels--then-suspended-50-games-by-mlb-234739469.html |title=Joel Pineiro released by the Angels, then suspended 50 games by MLB |last=Oz |first=Mike |work=sports.yahoo.com |date=June 30, 2015 |access-date=May 9, 2015}}</ref>

===Toronto Blue Jays===
On May 9, 2015, Piñeiro signed a minor league contract with the [[Toronto Blue Jays]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.thescore.com/mlb/news/761712 |title=Report: Blue Jays sign Joel Pineiro to minor-league deal |last=Costabile |first=Kristina |work=thescore.com |date=May 9, 2015 |access-date=May 9, 2015}}</ref> He was assigned to the Double-A [[New Hampshire Fisher Cats]], and later the Triple-A [[Buffalo Bisons]]. In 13 appearances (11 starts), Piñeiro posted a 5–4 record, 4.23 ERA, and 35 strikeouts in 76{{frac|2|3}} innings pitched.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=pineir001joe |title=Joel Pineiro Minor League Statistics & History |work=[[Baseball-Reference]] |access-date=July 22, 2015}}</ref> He was released on July 22.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://twitter.com/BuffaloBisons/status/623959232094695424 |title=Buffalo Bisons on Twitter |work=[[Twitter]] |date=July 22, 2015 |access-date=July 22, 2015}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Piñeiro resides in Río Piedras, Puerto Rico with his wife Shirley and children Joel, Jr. (Born April 7, 2003), Juliana (born November 2, 2005), and twins Adrian & Fabian (born September 18, 2008).

==See also==
* [[List of Major League Baseball players from Puerto Rico]]

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
{{Baseballstats |mlb=334492 |espn=4485 |br=p/pineijo01 |fangraphs=1094 |brm=pineir001joe}}
*[http://stlcardinals.scout.com/a.z?s=321&p=8&c=1&nid=3273780 Joel Pineiro's page at stlcardinals.scout.com]

{{Puerto Rico roster 2006 World Baseball Classic}}
{{Puerto Rico roster 2017 World Baseball Classic}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Pinero, Joel}}
[[Category:1978 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Río Piedras, Puerto Rico]]
[[Category:Baseball players from San Juan, Puerto Rico]]
[[Category:Seattle Mariners players]]
[[Category:Boston Red Sox players]]
[[Category:St. Louis Cardinals players]]
[[Category:Los Angeles Angels players]]
[[Category:2006 World Baseball Classic players]]
[[Category:2017 World Baseball Classic players]]
[[Category:Major League Baseball pitchers]]
[[Category:Major League Baseball players from Puerto Rico]]
[[Category:Arizona League Mariners players]]
[[Category:Everett AquaSox players]]
[[Category:Wisconsin Timber Rattlers players]]
[[Category:Lancaster JetHawks players]]
[[Category:Orlando Rays players]]
[[Category:New Haven Ravens players]]
[[Category:Tacoma Rainiers players]]
[[Category:Lowell Spinners players]]
[[Category:Pawtucket Red Sox players]]
[[Category:Memphis Redbirds players]]
[[Category:Inland Empire 66ers players]]
[[Category:Norfolk Tides players]]
[[Category:Gulf Coast Orioles players]]
[[Category:Tennessee Smokies players]]
[[Category:New Hampshire Fisher Cats players]]
[[Category:Buffalo Bisons (minor league) players]]
[[Category:Colonial High School alumni]]
[[Category:Florida SouthWestern Buccaneers baseball players]]