A.J. Burnett Demoted To Yankees Bullpen?
August 28, 2011 - 10:09 pm by Ryan Phillips
The New York Yankees spent $82.5 million on A.J. Burnett before the 2009 season, and are currently in the throes of buyer’s remorse. After another awful start on Friday night, Burnett could be headed to the bullpen.
Against the Baltimore Orioles on Friday Burnett lasted five innings while allowing nine runs, on nine hits, while walking two and striking out five as the Yankees lost 12-5. It was just the latest in a line of bad starts for the 34-year-old Burnett. In 27 starts this season, he is 9-11 with a 5.31 ERA, a 1.44 WHIP and an American League-leading 20 wild pitches. In 161 innings he has surrendered 160 hits, 101 runs, 25 home runs and 72 walks.
In five August starts, Burnett is 1-2 with an 11.91 ERA. In 22.2 August innings he’s allowed 30 runs on 44 hits, five home runs, and nine walks with just 17 strikeouts.
That follows a season in which Burnett went 10-15 with a 5.26 ERA and a 1.51 WHIP in 33 starts.
After backing Burnett for months, Yankees general manager Brian Cashman has said that Burnett’s salary won’t have anything to do with any rotation decisions the team makes. On top of that, before Friday’s outing, manager Joe Girardi said “He needs to pitch better, plain and simple.”
That’s um, that’s not good for Burnett’s future in the team’s rotation. When your manager and general manager both refuse to commit to you this late in the season it’s a big problem.
Burnett is making $16.5 million a year through 2013. That means he is still due $33 million over the next two years, and no one would take him via trade.
We’re all but sure Burnett will be in the bullpen when his next turn in the rotation comes around, and there is a chance that after the season the Yankees will have a tough decision to make regarding his future with the team.
10 Responses to “A.J. Burnett Demoted To Yankees Bullpen?”
Why send him to the bullpen ? What would make sense is to send A.J. down to the minors to work on his issues and regain some confidence. In the mean time maybe bring up a pitcher to take his place.
By Jess Barofsky on Aug 29, 2011
Bullpen? What situation can you possibly be comfortable with bringing in aj.maybe the ninth 22/9 lead then hope for the best.bet it gets close before he closes it out.most teams would use an outfielder to mop up.how in the world can you bring in Burnett in the middle of a game and expect the team to over come the results that we have all come to expect.
By E thomas on Aug 29, 2011
The only place AJ “Carol” Burnett needs to go is to a shrink. Ballplayers who ‘think’ are bad players. With all that talent, why operate like your in a casino? You’re getting your a$$ handed to you and you’re shaking off the catcher. What the heck is going on here?
By Al Kendo on Aug 29, 2011
I agree, send AJ to a shrink to get his head screwed on straight. Then to the minors to work on a new pitch since the ones he is using are only good for batting practice.
By Tony on Aug 29, 2011
I hope it helps.
Go Redsox
By Robin on Aug 29, 2011
I’m a Sox fan so I have no qualms with watching a Yankee implode, buttttttt I will say that Derek Lowe had an absolutely horrible season for the Red Sox in 2004 and lost his spot in the rotation to Bronson Arroyo. Then life happens, people get hurt, and the guy goes on to get the clinching victory in all 3 rounds. Win the world series, suddenly all is forgiven…Burnett was a fun guy last year, hope for his own sake he can get his head straight so he can start hitting people with pies again come september.
By TimClancy35@aol.com on Aug 29, 2011
Jeeze Louise… This is not a head case.. check the stats. He’s good early in the season and once the hitters get up to par, Burnett gets pounded. The investment turned out awful and The Yanks can’t recover the money, so send him down and let him help the organization getting those Triple A kids some batting and fielding practice.. Oh Yeah, Who wouldn’t suffer from anxiety when the whole world says you have it.. Go figure the guy has fear of people, (what they say or think).. and friken people are everywhere!
By gitguy47 on Aug 29, 2011
Did he NOT ask for this?
By Jane Willlemsen on Aug 30, 2011
He’s tipping his pitches. My son picked up on it. He has that long tattoo on his forearm and they know if it’s a fastball or breaking ball. Wear sleeves or get that shit off his arm.
By Paul on Aug 31, 2011
GET RID OF THE ASSHOLE are you people maschocists do you like seeing that stupid looking jackass screw up then good keep up front or else BURY the jerk
By Frank Spero on Sep 1, 2011