Tuesday, January 28, 2014

AJ Burnett To Pitch In 2014 & Test Open Market


Should the Yankees be interested in free agent pitcher AJ Burnett now that he has announced that he would pitch in 2014 and it wouldn't necessarily be with the Pittsburgh Pirates? I say why the hell not but my favorite pitcher in all of baseball is AJ so call me a little bias, something about throwing a no hitter with nine walks has always done it for me for some reason. Effectively wild always intrigues me and I am a fan of his tattoos so my opinion means little, I want the guy, but should the Yankees go after him?

Burnett is 37 years old, a littler older than you would like, but would likely command a one year deal which always fits in with the Yankees plans. He is also coming off of two great seasons in Pittsburgh throwing a combined 393+ innings, and what team couldn't use a veteran presence at the back end of a rotation that can eat innings? Burnett had a 3.51 ERA in 2013 and a 3.30 ERA in 2012 with a 9.8 K/9 ratio to go with it. Burnett also gets enough ground balls at this point in his career to make him really attractive in a Yankees uniform, seen by his 56.5% ground ball ratio. Oh yeah and he has done it before in New York and in the World Series, he also found a now well publicized mechanics flaw that he attributes to his success in Pittsburgh as well as adding a sinker to his repertoire. He was learning how to pitch, not throw, when he came to New York the first time, now he knows how to pitch.

Burnett does not come with draft pick compensation and has the lowest FIP and xFIP of any available free agent on the market with a 2.80 and 2.92 average respectively. Burnett is going to really throw a monkey wrench into this whole free agent market and things could really start moving now. Instead of dumpster diving Cash let's right a wrong that should have never happened in 2012.

13 comments:

  1. I say bring him in on a 2 year deal. I always liked him too. He was brought in to
    be a #2 starter. Now it would be a #5 guy. He takes the ball every 5 days and gives you everything he has.

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    Replies
    1. Exactly. People on Twitter are saying "he gives up too many home runs" and ignoring the fact that he has added a sinker, changed his mechanics, and become a pitcher and not a I'll just throw it past you thrower.

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    2. He's getting better Daniel because he's in Pittsburgh. He won't keep dominating in the Bronx.

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    3. Do you need someone to be dominant in the 4th and 5th starter role?

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  2. A.J. BURNETT...look at that photo. He was turning into a crusty old southern man, when he
    exited the Yankees. Those steamed crabs pack a punch. And, moon shine will do it also. And, don't discount an angry southern wife.
    And that may be why he had the mysterious black eye at one time..." AJ, how did you get that black eye ?"...AJ, " I don't know ?"
    Classic stuff.
    All of a sudden A.J. Burnett is testing the waters. Strike fast, and hard, Brian !
    Baltimore is already on the hunt..... A.J. being from Maryland, may give the Orioles the
    inside track.
    After two fine seasons with the Pirates, it is time for a home coming. Brian ?
    I march in step with Ellijay Burch, and Pac West Jeff.

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    Replies
    1. Baltimore gets a whole lot better with AJ... we do too...

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  3. Sign his Cashman, he is an innings eater and a good number 5

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  4. AH ! Ken Hans....you are keeping the tally unanimous...sign Burnett, now !
    After the last two years, he could be a four, with this Yankee rotation.
    The Pirates think they can sway him, if they add a big bat. Here we go again.

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    Replies
    1. How can it be unanimous with-out my vote? As always, I vote against you guys...just kidding!
      As a #5 starter he would help the team but hurt the development of the guys we will need next year and the year after that!
      I vote with you guys on this one but, I do so under duress and intimidation! LOL
      I think it is one of those; "Do we Need him or just Want him"!

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    2. I see you got the message my man Bruno sent you... good man... thank you for agreeing.

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  5. As weird as it may seem (if you know me, that is), I want to see what the kids can do. At least Pineda.

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    1. It is a weird day when I am lobbying for the "sure thing" and you are rooting for the kids. Seems like we're on Wife Swap or something.

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    2. Bryan...
      I agree with you, I think AJ would help the team but, I don't think we NEED him!
      In truth, I think Daniel also agrees with the concept of giving the kids a shot at the #5 slot! Not to speak for him, but I think it is more keeping him away from Baltimore.

      And Daniel, don't send Bruno after me, you know I am a little old man that is non-violent...no matter what the judge in Buffalo said!

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Sorry for the Capatcha... Blame the Russians :)