As a diehard Yankee fan all I can say is: Oh, please, Oh,
please, Oh, please, Oh, pleeeeaaase!!
After a somewhat inconsistent, but overall very decent 2009
debut with the Yankees, that helped bring the 27th World
Championship to the Bronx, Burnett has been nothing short of a disaster. He has
posted back to back ERAs over 5, with nearly matching FIPs of 4.83 and 4.77.
His walk rates are consistently near the tops in the American League. He has
made a run for the Bizarro Triple Crown of Pitching (leading the league in
walks, HBP, and wild pitches) several times in his career.
When I think of A.J. Burnett, my first thought is of a game
in 2006 that I saw him pitch in Toronto. He was, in a word, electric. His
fastball was sitting at 98, touching triple digits; his curveball was buckling
knees all afternoon. He was damn near unhittable. It’s a shame that a guy with that much talent
and potential was never able put it all together to be the dominant pitcher he
could be.
My second thought is to the 2009 World Series, where Burnett
pitched two games. A 7 inning, 9 strike out, 1 run on 4 hit gem for a win, and
a 2 inning, 6 run clunker. THAT is how I have come to know Burnett. A guy who
on any given day has the ability to shut down any lineup in the majors, but
also on any day could be in the showers by the 3rd.
I think a trade away from the bright lights and lethal
lineups of NY and the AL East, to the cozier pastures of the NL Central would
be a great revival for Burnett’s career. It could be a win, win situation.
Anything that Yankees get back aside from some minor salary
relief would be a bonus. With 7 current starters, the Yankees need to free up
some roster and payroll space. Burnett would be my personal choice as the ideal
pawn to be moved. Even with the Yankees having to eat 75% of his contract.
Hopefully something gets done within the next few days, as
spring training is a mere week away.
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