The rumors had been rampant for about a week, but the feeling had been growing for a few months. Yankee fans, and people within the organization knew A.J. Burnett was a goner, it was just a matter of when, and where. With the winter additions of righties Michael Pineda and Hiroki Kuroda, Burnett's days in the Bronx were no doubt numbered. There were now 7 starters to fit into a 5-man rotation, somebody had to go, and he was likely to be the odd man out.
Well now it is official, A.J. Burnett is no longer a New York Yankee. On Friday, reports said that the Yankees and Pittsburgh Pirates had finally agreed upon to the rumored deal that would send the righty to the Bucs. The Yankees would be sending the inconsistent 35-year-old to Pittsburgh along with $20 million of the $33 million remaining on his contract, in exchange for two minor leaguers, outfielder Exicardo Cayones, 20, and reliever Diego Moreno, 25. Because of the large amount of cash being sent from New York to Pittsburgh, the teams were waiting upon approval from the Commissioner's Office to make it a done deal. Today, Burnett passed his physical with the Pirates, and the powers that be cleared the trade.
Burnett's three-year tenure with the Bombers was certainly an odd one, a time of ups and downs on the mound. There were some poor moments, cutting his hands after a bad outing two seasons ago, pitching with an unexplained black eye in 2010, and a rumored feud with manager Joe Girardi in 2011. And there were some good moments, Game 2 of the 2009 World Series. After losing Game 1 at the hands of Cliff Lee and the Phillies, Burnett came up big in a must-win spot and made a name for himself as a Yankee with a 7-inning, 4-hit, 9-strikeout performance to even the series. Much of the time since that October evening don't serve as good memories for Burnett or Yankee fans, as he went a combined 21-26, with a 5.20 ERA over the 2010 and 2011 seasons, hardly living up to the 5-year, $82.5 million contract he signed prior to the 2009 season.
With the move of Burnett to Pittsburgh, the Yankees rotation picture looks a little clearer as pitchers and catchers officially reported today. As of today, it seems that Phil Hughes and Freddy Garcia will compete for the final spot in a rotation that will include CC Sabathia, Ivan Nova, Michael Pineda, and Hiroki Kuroda. In addition, with approximately $13 million coming off the payroll, the team is said to be pursuing, and rumored to sign, both OF/DH Raul Ibanez, and IF Eric Chavez.
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Photo Credit: Associated Press
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