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A New York Yankees blog by Chad Jennings and the staff of The Journal News


Burnett becomes a free agent

Posted by: Peter Abraham - Posted in Misc on Nov 04, 2008 Print This Post Print This Post | Email This Post Email This Post

Not that this will come as any surprise, but A.J. Burnett has opted out of his contract with the Toronto Blue Jays and become a free agent.

 
 

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49 Responses to “Burnett becomes a free agent”

  1. Al from BK( Fit CC for pinstripes. Jets are tied for first!) November 4th, 2008 at 6:40 pm

    Burnett is a future Yankee.[spoiler]

  2. AJ YANKS November 4th, 2008 at 6:41 pm

    Why don’t all players just hire Scott Boras?

  3. Dave D November 4th, 2008 at 6:42 pm

    Per Heyman – Milton Bradley becomes a FA after failing to reach a deal with Texas.

    DANA POINT, Calif. — Controversial outfielder Milton Bradley will be headed for the free-agent market after he and the Rangers failed to work out a deal for him to stay. Bradley put together his best season, posting a .436 on-base percentage and .563 slugging percentage for a .999 OPS.

    The Rangers were interested in bringing him back on a short-term deal. But Bradley will shoot to take advantage of his big “platform” season. He is expected to seek a four-year deal now more than $10 million a year, a big number for someone with his history of troubles.

    Bradley thrived in Texas under manager Ron Washington and may be taking a chance to leaving Washington and a quiet market behind. Considering his injury history, he’d also be wise to stay in the American League.

  4. dave November 4th, 2008 at 6:44 pm

    manny probably lost some of his value when he forced the sox to trade him just to get out of 20 million dollar options. It made him look like a greedy two yr old. i dont think teams want that kind of player – im sure he will get a contract but im sure he would have gotten more yrs if he didnt pull that in boston.

  5. jonnycat November 4th, 2008 at 6:51 pm

    These anti-Boras comments always make me laugh.
    If your son was a great player who was a free agent, would you want his agent saying anything different than what Scott says?
    The guy works hard for his clients, which is what his job is. He’s not responsible for the rest of baseball, only his clients.

    The question I think we ought to be asking is if he and his methods and integrity are good for the game, or does it contribute to the ruthless, capitalistic greed that chews away at what the game stands for? Don’t say players are entitled to their money; they are. But there should be some kind of balance and reason which would prevent this from being a me-first and not a team sport.

  6. bodhisattva November 4th, 2008 at 6:51 pm

    ^^^Probably. But that kind of hitting ability is redemptive. I think his age is the greater deterrent.

  7. Tom ( you can't be neutral on a moving train) November 4th, 2008 at 6:52 pm

    Say no to Burnett. He only pitches 200 innings when he’s due for a new deal.

  8. Tseng November 4th, 2008 at 6:53 pm

    Tom,

    Maybe he would take a 1 year deal with options for 4 more years? Then every year he’d pitch 200! =P

  9. Tseng November 4th, 2008 at 6:54 pm

    Before anyone jumps on me, that’s a joke.

  10. Bern Baby Bern November 4th, 2008 at 6:55 pm

    The only way I sign Burnett is if it looks like he is going to be headed to Boston and we have to keep him away. Burnett in Boston will be disasterous for us, we cannot let that happen.

    Thats the only reason we should sign Burnett, to keep him away from Boston. If Boston isin’t that interested in him and AJ wants to go to Baltimore or somewhere instead, then we shouldn’t bother.

    But we must make sure he does not go to Boston.

  11. kd November 4th, 2008 at 7:00 pm

    Burnett will likely pitch in the AL East. He’s shown that he can, which is huge, and three teams other than the Blue Jays want him (Balt, Rag Sox, Glorious Yankees)

  12. Al from BK( Fit CC for pinstripes. Jets are tied for first!) November 4th, 2008 at 7:03 pm

    The Yankees need 2 pitchers Cash said it himself! So unless you plan on signing CC and trading for Peavy then Burnett is the only other decent option. Lowe doesn’t want to be here
    and Ollie Perez would stink in the AL, dont even bring up Ben Sheets.

  13. mel November 4th, 2008 at 7:03 pm

    Did anyone ever stop to think about what would happen if Boston got their hot little hands on AJ? Que disastre!

  14. Tom ( you can't be neutral on a moving train) November 4th, 2008 at 7:13 pm

    If Boston wants to sign a 32 year old pitcher, with long history of arm and shoulder problems, to a 5 year deal @ 15 million per year then thats their problem.

    Before this year Burnett never won more than 12 games.

  15. Bronx Jeers November 4th, 2008 at 7:19 pm

    I see no defense for Boras. Of course I’d want him if it was my son getting his first big league contract but when it comes to the elite players he reps, he definitely reeks of the serpent. Maybe Manny gets his contract if he sticks it out in Boston and does for them what he did in LA. Did Boras orchestrate the Manny fiasco that led to his trade in order for Manny to get to the open market? It’s certainly not beyond his tactics. But now Manny has to face the consequences. Sure he’s an amazing player and possibly his talent warrants such a contract but who’s going to invest 6 years into a known quitter.

    Say what you will about ARod and Bonds but they’re not quitters. Defense and team commitment also have to play a role and these may be precisely why no team will be offering Manny the contract he supposedly deserves.

    Boras sees dollar signs and dimwit players and spins them into gold. He and his kind are akin to a form of cancer for baseball. The only thing he advances are his and his clients bank accounts while the integrity of the game suffers and contempt grows.

  16. Jorge (México) November 4th, 2008 at 7:23 pm

    “Al from BK( Fit CC for pinstripes. Jets are tied for first!)
    November 4th, 2008 at 7:03 pm
    The Yankees need 2 pitchers Cash said it himself! So unless you plan on signing CC and trading for Peavy then Burnett is the only other decent option. Lowe doesn’t want to be here
    and Ollie Perez would stink in the AL, dont even bring up Ben Sheets.”

    This time I have to disagree, Al. There IS another very interesting option. Ryan Dempster. He will be 32 at the start of the season, and he went 17-6, 2.96 ERA last season with the Cubs. He is a free agent nobody talks about. I think C.C. and Dempster would be the best for the Yankees.

  17. For $13 I'll be a Macadamia Nut November 4th, 2008 at 7:25 pm

    Dempster doesn’t seem to get a lot of notice. I wonder if that is because of predominate thoughts that he will get re-signed, or if he is just a sleeper this off season.

  18. Not Buying it November 4th, 2008 at 7:27 pm

    Last year all of the people on the blog were so certain they knew what the Yankees should or shouldn’t do. How did that turn out for you all? Why don’t you actually think about your opinion before you say it. In my book, you look just as foolish this year as you did last year.. already.

  19. Al from BK( Fit CC for pinstripes. Jets are tied for first!) November 4th, 2008 at 7:29 pm

    Jorge- Dempster is Jaret Wright part 2 a career NL pitcher. Last year was his first great year as a starter and it was in the NL. I would trust Burnett over Dempster just my opinion.

  20. GreenBeret7 November 4th, 2008 at 7:30 pm

    Dempster would be my third choice of the pitchers on the market. If NYY gets their two targets,I’d expect Dempster to go back to the Cubs or Toronto. Toronto will be two rotation pitchers short in 2009.

  21. Al from BK( Fit CC for pinstripes. Jets are tied for first!) November 4th, 2008 at 7:31 pm

    Mac-nut0- Dempster doesn’t get alot of attention because he is walking red flag. He is a NL pitcher coming off a career year can anyone say Pavano?

  22. Buddy Biancalana November 4th, 2008 at 7:32 pm

    Dempster is nothing like Jaret Wright.

  23. GreenBeret7 November 4th, 2008 at 7:34 pm

    Al from BK( Fit CC for pinstripes. Jets are tied for first!)
    November 4th, 2008 at 7:29 pm
    Jorge- Dempster is Jaret Wright part 2 a career NL pitcher. Last year was his first great year as a starter and it was in the NL. I would trust Burnett over Dempster just my opinion.

    ______________________________________________________

    You might want to look at his career. He was a good young starter in Florida until moving to Chicago and Baker screwing it up by moving him to the bullpen. He was also a big winner in a hitter’s park.

  24. vinny-b (Hank Blalock for 1st base) November 4th, 2008 at 7:39 pm

    rather take Sheets on a short-term contract, over Dempster, Perez, or Lowe.

    wow. Didn’t expect to say that.

    with the arms we have in AAA/AA/A, i prefer to sign the high-ceiling player, rather then lockup a average type starter, long term.

  25. Al from BK( Fit CC for pinstripes. Jets are tied for first!) November 4th, 2008 at 7:41 pm

    GB- Yes I know that he was a decent starter back in FLA. However that was nearly 10 years ago and this past year was his first dominant year as a starter and it was in the NL in his contract year. I’m just leary of NL pitchers.

  26. jennifer November 4th, 2008 at 7:42 pm

    Kelleher could join Yankees’ coaching staff
    by Ed Price/The Star-Ledger
    Tuesday November 04, 2008, 3:32 PM

    The Yankees are leaning toward promoting Mick Kelleher to fill the open spot on their coaching staff.

    According to a member of the organization who requested anonymity because nothing is finalized, Kelleher is the leading candidate to replace third-base coach Bobby Meacham. But the Yankees have not decided exactly who would fill what role; Kelleher, the team’s minor-league defensive coordinator since 2006, could coach first base with Tony Pena moving to third or be the bench coach, with Rob Thomson taking over at third.

    Kelleher, 61, played 622 games as a major-league infielder (1972-82) and was a big-league first-base coach for the 1986 Pirates and 2003-05 Tigers.

  27. vinny-b (Hank Blalock for 1st base) November 4th, 2008 at 7:56 pm

    update: BORAS WANTS POSADA MONEY, FOR VARITEK

    LMAO.

    Scott Boras; Baseball anti-christ? Or Court Jester?

  28. jennifer November 4th, 2008 at 7:58 pm

    Posada money for a guy who can’t hit his way out of a paper bag.

  29. vinny-b (Hank Blalock for 1st base) November 4th, 2008 at 7:58 pm

    yup

  30. pat November 4th, 2008 at 8:00 pm

    Boras only has as much power as the players, owners and GMs let him have.

    What Boras has proven is that he isn’t going to be the one to blink first. Sometimes his clients do and sometimes the owners do but Scott nevers seems. In a negotiation he’s the guy you want on your side.

  31. ray (sox fan) November 4th, 2008 at 8:01 pm

    vinny-b (Hank Blalock for 1st base)
    November 4th, 2008 at 7:56 pm
    “update: BORAS WANTS POSADA MONEY, FOR VARITEK

    LMAO.”

    I don’t see the Sox offering Varitek Posada money in amount of money or years, not even close.

  32. vinny-b (Hank Blalock for 1st base) November 4th, 2008 at 8:04 pm

    ray: I don’t expect. Theo is not dumb.

    The Rangers are sitting on like 29 catchers. And there’s always Pudge.

  33. Al from BK( Fit CC for pinstripes. Jets are tied for first!) November 4th, 2008 at 8:10 pm

    That is the main reason why not all players are interested in having Boras as their agent. He often controls the players emotions to hold out for the biggest deal often when a player hires Boras they know they have just sold their soul to a real wheeler/dealer.

  34. pat November 4th, 2008 at 8:10 pm

    A few interesting things from a NY Post article on player rankings for 2008 from Elias:

    “Santana is ranked sixth among NL pitchers behind Sabathia, Brandon Webb, Cole Hamels, Dan Haren and Roy Oswalt, ahead of Jake Peavy, Ted Lilly and Tim Hudson and Carlos Zambrano.”

    “Rodriguez ranks tops among all AL second basemen, third basemen and shortstops, with Derek Jeter sixth.”

    “The highest ranked major-league player is Teixeira (98.889), followed by Rockies OF Matt Holliday (98.125), Sabathia (98.110), Webb (96.392), White Sox OF Magglio Ordonez (96.316), Cardinals 1B Albert Pujols (95.385), and Rodriguez (95.031).”

    “Mariano Rivera ranks fourth among AL relievers behind Joe Nathan, Joakim Soria and J.J. Putz, but he is ahead of Jonathan Papelbon and Francisco Rodriguez.”

    http://www.nypost.com/seven/11.....136995.htm

  35. vinny-b (Hank Blalock for 1st base) November 4th, 2008 at 8:13 pm

    pat: beginning to believe CC may be better than Santana.

    :)

  36. GreenBeret7 November 4th, 2008 at 8:14 pm

    ray (sox fan)
    November 4th, 2008 at 8:01 pm
    vinny-b (Hank Blalock for 1st base)
    November 4th, 2008 at 7:56 pm
    “update: BORAS WANTS POSADA MONEY, FOR VARITEK

    LMAO.”

    I don’t see the Sox offering Varitek Posada money in amount of money or years, not even close.

    _______________________________________________________

    Evening, Ray. At this point in his career, I’m not sure that Varitek is worth Mrs. Posada money.

  37. Al from BK( Fit CC for pinstripes. Jets are tied for first!) November 4th, 2008 at 8:16 pm

    ““Mariano Rivera ranks fourth among AL relievers behind Joe Nathan, Joakim Soria and J.J. Putz, but he is ahead of Jonathan Papelbon and Francisco Rodriguez.””

    Soria? Putz? The guy had a 4 ERA on the worst team in baseball. Who makes these rankings Mo is still obviously the best reliever in the game, maybe Nathan is close, maybe.

  38. Tom ( you can't be neutral on a moving train) November 4th, 2008 at 8:20 pm

    http://sportsillustrated.cnn.c.....topstories

  39. pat November 4th, 2008 at 8:20 pm

    Al

    Why is taking emotion out of a business negotiation selling your soul? If a player fighting for the best deal is without soul, does the same hold true when a team tells a player their services are no longer needed or undercuts a player in an arbitration hearing?

    It’s all about business for agents and owners. Emotion and soul is reserved for the fans.

  40. Al from BK( Fit CC for pinstripes. Jets are tied for first!) November 4th, 2008 at 8:23 pm

    “Al

    Why is taking emotion out of a business negotiation selling your soul? If a player fighting for the best deal is without soul, does the same hold true when a team tells a player their services are no longer needed or undercuts a player in an arbitration hearing?

    It’s all about business for agents and owners. Emotion and soul is reserved for the fans.”

    Well obviously its business. However Boras more than other agents takes charge and rarely settles for less. A-Rod had to divorce himself from the guy just to come back here. In the case of CC I hope no emotion is involved because if there is he will be a Dodger.

  41. pat November 4th, 2008 at 8:24 pm

    Think Obama and McCain are upset that AJ Burnett tried to upstage them by opting out during the returns coming in on Election Day?

  42. GreenBeret7 November 4th, 2008 at 8:26 pm

    Ray (Sox Fan), I wonder if Cleveland would make a trade with Boston….Crisp for Shoppach, with Boston picking up part of te tab? If Cleveland trades on of their outfielders to KC for Teahen to play third base.

  43. Jorge (México) November 4th, 2008 at 8:28 pm

    “Al from BK( Fit CC for pinstripes. Jets are tied for first!)
    November 4th, 2008 at 8:16 pm
    ““Mariano Rivera ranks fourth among AL relievers behind Joe Nathan, Joakim Soria and J.J. Putz, but he is ahead of Jonathan Papelbon and Francisco Rodriguez.””

    Soria? Putz? The guy had a 4 ERA on the worst team in baseball. Who makes these rankings Mo is still obviously the best reliever in the game, maybe Nathan is close, maybe.”
    _______________________________________________________

    See, Al? This time I agree. Absolutely. I can’t believe there is someone believing that Putz is better than Mariano. Irracional. Absurd.

    I think, maybe, if injuries do not appear on his horizon, my countryman Joakim Soria could get close to Mariano on years to come. About Nathan, he is a reliable closer. A very good one. But, the best? That place has a name. Mariano.

  44. pat November 4th, 2008 at 8:28 pm

    Al

    LOL. Soul selling can be a good thing if your name is CC.

    Boras clients allow him to take charge until they don’t. A-Rod and Boras have since kissed and made up so no harm, no foul with them.

  45. bubba November 4th, 2008 at 8:35 pm

    AJ + Sheets + Pavano = (maybe) 200 IP

  46. GreenBeret7 November 4th, 2008 at 8:50 pm

    bubba
    November 4th, 2008 at 8:35 pm
    AJ + Sheets + Pavano = (maybe) 200 IP

    ______________________________________________________

    You truly live up to our name. I can hear the theme from “Deliverance” when I read your name.

  47. Harland November 4th, 2008 at 9:12 pm

    Two things to like about Lowe. He’s an innings eater and he may have an axe to grind with Epstein.

  48. bubba November 4th, 2008 at 9:19 pm

    Shows what’s in a name–you’d be very surprised at my background.

  49. EY November 4th, 2008 at 9:44 pm

    Good news with Burnett.
    Get Sabathia and Tex. Maybe Burnett.

    NO NO NO PEAVY!

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