MLB Rumors: Yankees Must Do Whatever It Takes To Unload A.J. Burnett
December 20, 2011 · Michael Dixon · Jump to comments
Article Source: Bleacher Report - New York Yankees
Two of the three seasons that A.J. Burnett has been on the Yankees have been disastrous. If George A. King of the New York Post is in fact correct that “several teams are kicking the tires on acquiring A.J. Burnett,” they must to whatever it takes to get rid of him.
Let’s take a look at the numbers.
| Year | Wins | Losses | Innings Pitched | Strikeouts | ERA | WHIP |
| 2009 | 13 | 9 | 207 | 195 | 4.04 | 1.401 |
| 2010 | 10 | 15 | 186.2 | 145 | 5.26 | 1.511 |
| 2011 | 11 | 11 | 190.1 | 173 | 5.15 | 1.434 |
The first year of the contract was hardly spectacular, and it’s only gotten worse since. Burnett will be 35 on opening day, so it’s not going to get any better.
Now, according to King, there is one catch.
It’s going to take the Yankees swallowing more than $8 million of the $33 million remaining on Burnett’s final two years. And Burnett can submit 10 teams every year to which he wouldn’t accept a trade.
For the Yankees, that should make no difference. The money isn’t the concern for them, they need to get rid of Burnett’s production.
It’s astounding that any team would want any part of Burnett. If 34-35 is the best he can do on a team that scores runs like the Yankees, his record isn’t going to get any better.
From the Yankees’ perspective, this isn’t about money. I know that even the Yankees have a limit, but they aren’t there. No, this is about freeing up a roster space that’s been bogged down by a poor pitcher for the last three seasons.
If they’re going to get that kind of production, it might as well be from a young improving starter. Those numbers from a 35-year-old arm is just a waste. It’s not going to get any better.
If any team is actually dumb enough to pursue a pitcher like Burnett, there’s no reason not to take it. They are on the hook for his contract anyway. His spot in the rotation is counter-productive. If they’re going to pay for Burnett to lose games, it might as well be for another team.
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