"Silent no longer are the New York Yankees.

Fourteen weeks and a day after being dispatched by the Detroit Tigers in the American League Division Series, the Yankees, traditionally one of the most active teams during the winter, finally made a splash Friday. And boy, was it a big one -- with a capital "B" -- involving not only a trade, but also a free-agent signing.

In a rare trade of youngsters, the Yankees acquired soon-to-be-23-year-old (he turns that age on Jan. 18) right-hander Michael Pineda, along with minor league right-hander Jose Campos, from the Seattle Mariners in exchange for catcher/designated hitter Jesus Montero and right-hander Hector Noesi.

Then, moments later, the Yankees further bolstered their rotation -- something widely regarded as their biggest weakness a year ago -- by announcing the signing of free agent Hiroki Kuroda to a one-year, $10 million contract.

Talk about upending fantasy rankings. It could be argued that the three most significant names involved all improved in terms of fantasy value."