The Yankees knew they need help in the starting rotation for 2012. So they were laying in the weeds waiting for the right time to pounce and that they did last week when they traded for Michael Pineda and signed Hiroki Kuroda to a 1-year deal. Here is a look at the new players for 2012 so far:

In the field: The Yankees have not signed a free agent to a major league deal that plays in the field. Outfielders DeWayne Wise (an excellent defensive player) and Cole Garner will battle for the #5 outfielder on the Yankees this spring. The Yankees also signed 2B/3B Jayson Nix to a minor league deal.

On the mound: Michael Pineda and Hiroki Kuroda will probably be the Yankees’ #3 and #4 starters when the 2012 season begins, behind C.C. Sabathia and Ivan Nova. The Yankees did a great job of waiting out the pitching market until the price came down….just like a very smart poker player….waiting for the right hand to play. The Yankees also signed lefty reliever Hideki Okajima to a minor league deal and he will have a good shot of making the Yankees’ bullpen this spring.

Overall: The Yankees have patched up their biggest weakness of last year (the starting rotation)….so it’s all systems go for 2012.