New York Yankees ALDS Playoff Roster: Why Did AJ Burnett Make It?
September 30, 2011 · David Young · Jump to comments
Article Source: Bleacher Report - New York Yankees
I need help here from Yankee fans—or any fans, for that matter—to give me some reasons as to why AJ Burnett is on the first-round playoff roster. I’m serious. I can’t figure it out, so please, other than his $83 million contract, why is this guy on the roster?
Overall this year, Burnett was bad, finishing at 11-11 with a 5.15 ERA. He gave up one hit for every inning he pitched, walked 83 batters, and gave up 31 home runs. And that’s taking into consideration he started the year 4-1 with a 3.93 ERA in April. So after April, Burnett was 7-10 with an ERA close to 6.00.
And if that’s not bad enough, the closer to the playoffs, the worse Burnett got. In August he was 1-3 with an 11.91 ERA. Yes, you read that correctly, and I even had to look twice to make sure I typed it correctly—11.91! Up to his very last start of the year against Boston, Burnett flat out stunk. So because of one good start the Yankees will give him a playoff roster spot?
With the first round being five games and the three Yankees starters already named in Sabathia, Nova and Garcia, where does Burnett actually fit in? Short relief? Of course not, the Yankees have Robertson for the eighth and Rivera to close things out. If they need a seventh inning guy, Cory Wade has been more than capable, or they could go with Luis Ayala, who has also pitched well.
How about long relief? Phil Hughes steps into that role and has done well in the past. And both Wade and Ayala are more than capable of logging innings if needed. So really, Burnett doesn’t fit in anywhere except taking up space.
OK you say, but what else could the Yankees have done? As it stands right now, with Burnett on the roster, the only left-handed reliever is Boone Logan. So essentially, the Yankees are putting all their hopes of getting out a key left-hander on the shoulders of Logan. Not that I don’t like Logan, but the guy is as inconsistent as they come. And what if that key left-handed batter comes up in the seventh? No one is left for the eighth or ninth!
Aaron Laffey did a decent job and I would have taken him over Burnett. But I most likely would have gone with Raul Valdes in place of Burnett. Since coming to the Yanks in September from the National League, Valdes pitched in six games. In those six games, Valdes went 6.2 innings while giving up only two runs (ERA of 2.89), and struck out six (one per inning). More importantly, Valdes was hot, and I believe in playing the hot hand.
Again, I don’t get it and need someone, anyone, to explain it to me. Heck, if Joe Maddon over in Tampa can start a guy who has only started one major league game in Game 1 against Texas, then why can’t the Yankees leave AJ Burnett OFF the postseason roster?
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