Burnett lined up for big payday

November 18, 2008   ·   Paul Raymond   ·   Jump to comments

A.J. Burnett is poised to become a very rich man thanks to the off season aggressiveness of the New York Yankees. The New York Post reports that the Yankees are prepared to offer Burnett a five year deal worth $80 million. If these reports are true then it definitely shows the Yankees are way overboard serious about upgrading their pitching staff. Remember, they still have an offer on the table for C.C. Sabathia of six years for $140 million. Let’s take a look at Burnett thou.

The Toronto Blue Jays currently have an offer worth $54 million over 4 years on the table for Burnett, if the NY Post is correct then the Yankees easily crush that offer. It’s much like what the Yanks are doing to the Milwaukee Brewers, making sure the team has no chance in resigning their own player. Many have complained that the Yankees are grossly overpaying for Sabathia, but I think they’re actually overpaying for the services of Mr. Burnett. There are a couple reasons why.

A.J. is currently 32, a five year deal would bring him to the age of 37. This contract would put him in to a very dangerous period in his career when it comes to injuries. Remember A.J. has been injury prone throughout most of his career. When on the mound he’s usually pretty damn good, but the key is when he is on the mound. This past season was the first time since 2005 that he stayed healthy for an entire season. In fact, he’s only made 30+ starts three times over his ten year career. Now that he’s coming off a career high of 221.1 innings pitched do you really think its wise to throw this kind of money at him? I’m not sure.

Burnett did go 18-10 this past season, but there is a good argument that this might of actually been the worst season of his career. He did strikeout 230+ batters in 221 innings but his era was 4.07, not bad but not worth ace type money. But wait, that number is actually deceptive, if you take out his appearances against the Yankees his era balloons to a 4.57. Now would you really want to throw that kind of money at a pitcher with a 4.57 era?

In defense of Burnett, there is plenty of argument that he is a big game pitcher. A big game pitcher is in fact something the Yankees have lacked for years. Joba Chamberlain looks like he can become one, but Chien-Ming Wang has definitely disappeared in playoff games in the past. So yea a BIG game pitcher is something they could definitely use. When facing top lineups this year Burnett was pretty much untouchable. In 16 appearances verse top teams like the Boston Red Sox, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Philadelphia Phillies, Tampa Bay Rays and the Yankees, he compiled a record of eight wins and three losses and an era of 3.31. After looking at those numbers I’d have to think Burnett plays to the level of his opponents. Which for the Yankees would be good playing in the insanely tough American League East.

As a Yankees fan, I’m torn on A.J. Burnett. There is no doubt he’s a good pitcher but his health issues scare me, especially with his increasing age. Would I want him on my team? Without a doubt! Would I want him on my team for $16 million a year? Ehhh, I don’t know about that. If the Yankees do in fact land C.C. Sabathia, then A.J. would be our #3 starter at that price tag. O wait, we had Andy Pettitte in that role last year at that same price. The one difference there thou is injury concerns, and in four years, would A.J. still be worth $16 million when he could easily be pitching at the back end of the rotation? I just don’t know. Personally, I think this is one deal the Yankees shoulder lower or even pass on at that salary level.

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