New York Yankees open to offers for A.J. Burnett – MLB Update
After months of speculation, the New York Yankees have finally announced that their pitcher, A.J. Burnett, will be open to offers during the winter and that any considerable offer will be appreciated. The Yankees owe about 33-million-dollars to Burnett over
the next two seasons and have expressed their desire of paying at least eight-million-dollars out of the total chunk. Given his recent form, the Yankees are making a smart move.
Burnett was average during this past season and his performance during the playoffs did not help his cause either. Yankees’ manager, Joe Girardi, made it clear that a move for Burnett might be on the cards and the recent announcement confirms the same. Nevertheless,
it remains to be seen how far other teams go in this pursuit, given that most managers have already finalised their rosters or are in the process of doing so.
During the past two seasons, Burnett’s win-loss record has stood at a mere 21-26 and with his age on the wrong side of 30s, a 12.5-million-dollar per year contract is something he might not get again. However, if the cash-rich Washington Nationals or the
Miami Marlins set eye on the pitcher, they might go the extra mile in ensuring that they land Burnett to their ballpark before the next season embarks on April 4, 2012.
Yankees’ general manager Brian Cashman has clarified that he will be all ears on offers for Burnett and that there will be no discrimination between teams extending the offer. The Yankees have currently curtailed their excessive spending on top free agents
and will be in a position to spend excessively once they get Burnett off the payroll.
A starting pitcher is in demand at the Bronx to assist ace CC Sabathia and the management can afford such a move once they have a spot in the roster and some extra cash in the pocket.
“I wouldn’t say we are closer [to doing something] but it was informative from our perspective what would fit,’’ Cashman said. “Whether it leads to something or not I don’t know.’’
With nothing affirmative as yet, it will be interesting to see how this move develops.
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