It seems all but inevitable that A.J. Burnett will be toeing the rubber in PNC Park come April, and my feelings are surprisingly mixed on the subject. While I do genuinely believe that he may be the best option of the fifth starter triumvirate (mostly due to the higher beta of Phil Hughes and the blase nature of Freddy Garcia), I cannot help but feel that Burnett’s quirkiness, the minor spats with Girardi and Rothschild, and the endless trade speculation will result in nothing short of distractions, if not genuine dissension. It is always a thrill to see Burnett fire off a 96 MPH heater followed by a knee-buckling curve with startling command, but those instances have come fewer and further between … and most memories of Burnett revolve around his confrontations with the coaching staff (both on the mound and in the dugout) and meltdowns that generally culminate in towering home runs. The sort of promise that Burnett offers, in short, is that which we may drool over with a starting pitcher in his early 20s, hoping and praying that he can get his head on straight – at 35, I doubt even the most unabashed optimist would cross his fingers for Burnett.
In dealing Burnett, Brian Cashman et al would spare the team, the fans, and the brass of one of the most distracting Yankees (non-Rodriguez division) in recent memory. Such a distraction can be acceptable, as is/was the case with Rodriguez, where production is a guarantee … yet Burnett’s replacement-level adventures in 2010 and 2011 cannot be obscured by his surprisingly decent peripherals where $33 MM and consistent inconsistency are ubiquitous. And for this – for all of this – I do believe that it is time that A.J. Burnett is shown the door.
At this juncture, it does appear that the only questions involve the return and the savings (which may as well be a single issue). To me, Burnett represents a sunk cost, and any money that Cashman can recoup for the team’s coffers is a veritable bonus. The likelihood of Burnett rebounding in pitcher-friendly PNC Park is astronomical, particularly with the departures of Albert Pujols and Prince Fielder from the NL Central, but that does not somehow improve Burnett’s stock as a pitcher – and yes, this is my likely futile attempt to stem any hindsight-driven lamentations that would stem from a 2009-ish line with the Pirates.
None of this is to say that the Yankees should not attempt to extract something of value from the Pirates. Garrett Jones seems like a safer and smarter bet than Raul Ibanez, Johnny Damon, or Hideki Matsui, and his arbitration request checked in at $2.5 MM (right in-line with what some expect one of those three to command). Michael Eder penned an excellent write-up on Jones yesterday, and I suggest you check it out. Should Jones not be an option (which I don’t think he is unless the Yankees pick up all $33 MM or add something of at least minor value to the deal), a lottery ticket type prospect would be very appealing. To be perfectly frank, I would settle for a low-risk, moderate reward minor leaguer like Justin Wilson, who appears destined for a fine career as a lefty specialist. With an organization as deep as the Pirates, there exists an almost limitless supply of both gambles and Justin Wilsons, and I am quite sure that Cashman will do his due diligence.
With all that being said, however, my endorsement of a straight salary dump stands. This may not be the most classical sort of ‘addition by subtraction,’ but it represents a clear-cut ‘yes’ decision insofar as the roster is concerned.
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Here’s what I think the deal ends up as
Yankees get Garrett Jones
Pirates get AJ Burnett, 20M and a pitcher like Phelps/Warren or Marshall.
Yanks get the salary relief they are looking for, and a guy who is a great fit as a platoon DH this year as well as gives them added depth in case swisher leaves next year. Pirates get the veteran innings eater they are looking for at a reasonable rate and a solid close to ML ready arm.
If the pirates insist on keeping jones, I still think the deal gets done- the yanks will end up with a crap prospect in return but use the savings to sign a DH and Chavez
I’d rather go with option B. Jones is a fine DH option but there’s no reason to dump Burnett and lose some of our minor league starting depth for him. He’s not young and at best he would be a platoon RF next year.
Agreed. Jones should/shouldn’t be in the package depending on how much $ the Yanks pick up. The Cubs got a decent player back for Zambrano in Volstad, but they assumed almost all of his salary. If the Yanks p/u 75% or more, then I’m looking for something back. If not, they pick up less and get a B-prospect.
I prefer the first option. Yanks will likely need at least one, maybe two outfielders, not to metion lefty Dh, over next two years. If there is any chance of addressing those needs in moving Burnett, go for it. But if Cash thinks he can land an even better OF solution by independently moving Phelps/Warren/Marshall/Mitchell that would work too. Much as I hate to weaken our strong pitching hand, some trimming around the edges to secure some everyday talent may be necessary.
For all the talk of the Pirates, I would not rule out a last-minute surprise where Cash ships Aj elsewhere for a viable OF/DH option.
The reports are that 4 teams are “in on” Burnett. Apparently one is on his no trade list, so that leaves the Pirates and 2 others. No idea who they could be, but if Cashman truly balked at 10 million they have to be, to at least some degree, serious in trading for AJ. So a last minute surprise team may very well get the job done.
I’m fine in trading one of our minor league arms for everyday bats, but Jones isn’t that. He’s likely no more than a platoon DH this year and a platoon RF next year. Someone like BJ Upton or Delmon Young could be a better option than him in the outfield for next season and going into the future.
“I’m fine in trading one of our minor league arms for everyday bats, but Jones isn’t that. He’s likely no more than a platoon DH this year and a platoon RF next year. Someone like BJ Upton or Delmon Young could be a better option than him in the outfield for next season and going into the future.”
BJ Upton — much as I hate his guts — yes, I agree.
Delmon Young? As a free agent I’m sure he’ll cost more than the next four years of arb-eligible control on Jones will cost. I’d pass on Delmon Young.
BJ Upton is my first choice of free agent outfielders. He can play CF and move Granderson to RF, when combined with Gardner in LF probably gives us the best defensive out field in baseball. Plus if Kevin Long can do his magic and help him make a little more consistent contact he may actually tap into some of that unreached potential he has. Even with out it though he’s still a yearly candidate for 40 SBs and 20 HRs.
Young is also 2 or 3 years younger than Jones, if either one is going to be an everyday right fielder it’s going to be Young. I’d rather have 3 years of Swisher than 3 years of young, but Swisher will sign a 4 or 5 year deal. I’d much rather have Young’s youth and potential, rather than Jones left handed platoon bat.
Just to clear up age this will be Delmon’s age 26 season, Jones will turn 31 in June. I’d much rather have the guy who turns 27 next year over the one who will 32.
The difference being what one would cost in free agency vs. what the other would cost in arbitration hearings.
I’d obviously rather have Young over Jones but I don’t think it’s realistic to expect the Yankees to go out and sign Young as a free agent next year when they’re holding their noses at even a $2M investment in a platoon DH at this point.
This is absolutely addition by subtraction, and it would mark a huge improvement from the days of stubbornly sitting with Farnsworth or Pavano in some futile attempt to save face by getting “equal value.”
I apologize for a minor editorial correction:
The likelihood of Burnett rebounding in pitcher-friendly PNC Park is tiny. The odds against such a rebound are astronomical.