DON'T SIGN AJ BURNETT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Haven't we learned anything from the past???
Can anybody tell me the last player the Yankees signed to a massive contract because he had a great contract year, but had been prone to injuries before?
Does the name Carl Pavano ring a bell?
Look, I'll admit that Burnett had a great year, and he has had success before, but a player whose statistics in their contract years are so much stronger than every other year, has to cause you concern. And of course, so does his injury history. In his 8 full seasons he has thrown over 200 innings only 3 times. He has won more than 12 games only once (last year), and in 4 of those seasons, started only 25 games or less.
The biggest red flag has to be this fun little list though:
1)April 2004, Placed on 15 day DL (recovering from elbow surgery)
2) June 2004 transferred to 60 Day DL
3) March 2006, Placed on 15 Day DL (Right elbow soreness)
4) April 2006, Placed on 15 Day DL (Right elbow soreness)
5) May 2006, Transferred to 60 Day DL
6) June 2007, Placed on 15 Day DL (Right shoulder pain)
7) July 2007, Placed on 15 Day DL (Sore right shoulder)
8) November 2008 -- Declares free agency after not suffering any injuries in his contract year
See what I'm getting at? I think the Yankees should learn from their mistakes and refrain from signing a pitcher whose pitching arm seems to be made of fine tissue paper.
Go sign Derek Lowe. He's reliable. He's pitched in the big games before. He's a tough competitor and a gamer. He's a sinker baller which will prevent the short-porch home runs that Yankee Stadium is known for (the dimensions in the new ballpark are the same). He also commands less money. It just makes sense.
If the Yankees sign Burnett, I hope I'm wrong. And if you think I am...go ahead and tell me.
1 comment:
Hey Mike, You forgot to send an invite to join your blog to Hank and Hal. Five years at 82.5 mil? And just when Carl Pavano was in our rear view mirror. We’ll remember that deal as a bargain in comparison. You have to hand it to that vaunted Marlins 2003 pitching staff, they know how to cash in. Beckett has turned out to be as advertised, at least every other year. Dontrelle Willis signed for huge money before Detriot found out he was totally damaged goods, Pavano got his from the Yankees then took the next four years off. Now Burnett. HI A.J. - Meet the DL.
Bob
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