MVN - Most Valuable Network

Jays Score 14; When Will Burnett be Traded?

Two amazing things happened tonight at the Rogers Centre. 1) The Blue Jays turned in a 22-hit, 14-run performance. Their highest output of the season and only their fifth double digit splurge all year. 2) AJ Burnett not only pitched well but did nothing to make Toronto fans hate him even more than we already do.

The offensive output by the Jays tonight was not only a complete breath of fresh air but a beacon of hope for the rest of the season. Eight of the Jays starters had a multi-hit game and by the end of the second, the 11 Blue Jays had crossed the plate. Alex Rios hit his first homerun since the invention of the wheel and the Jays even had an inning where they hit two homeruns. Can you believe that?

Could this team finally become at least mediocre offensively? Will Rios continue his tear that began with the new coaching staff? Has Cito figured out how to make this team reach its potential? All of these are legitimate questions after tonight’s game, and I really hope the Jays aren’t just a flash in the pan. This team should be competing, and let’s hope its not too late.

As for the tattoed, mohawked, “I don’t play by anyone else’s rules” AJ Burnett. The guy pitched a very good ballgame, allowing only 4 hits over 8 innings while striking out 7 and earning his 7th win of the season. He currently sits at 7-7, an even .500, a place where he is incredibly comfortable.

At times, I felt myself wishing that Burnett would get shelled and the Jays would win 14-12 so we could see what gesture AJ would make to the crowd to remove any doubt about whether or not he cares if he’s in a Jays uniform next season. To be honest, most Blue Jays fans don’t care either.

The reasons for why Burnett has not warmed up to the fans here in Toronto are endless. Whether its his pathetic history of injuries, his career mediocre performance, his mention of a desire to play in Chicago, his doffing of his cap to a chorus of boos at the Rogers Centre or the overwhelming feeling that he really just does not care that much about baseball. Take your pick. AJ Burnett is a very obvious candidate to be dealt before the trade deadline.

If Burnett puts up even decent numbers throughout the rest of the year, he will most likely opt out of his contract. This will be because some lousy team with money to spend will be teased his 97 mph fastball and devastating curveball just like the Blue Jays were three years ago. Burnett is an arrogant pain in the neck but he isn’t stupid. He will opt out if there is a chance for him to make more money elsewhere.

Instead of being angry at Burnett for becoming yet another Blue Jay who left town after never delivering on a huge contract, it makes sense for the Jays to deal Burnett for some offensive help before the deadline (apparently anyone but Adam Dunn is a potential candidate).

Burnett has been either the worst or second-worst starter on the Jays staff this season. (Halladay, Litsch and Marcum have been better while McGowan has been so-so). They do not need to have that much money tied up in a guy with a 76-73 career record. The dream of him and Halladay being the best 1-2 punch in AL will never be realized due to AJ’s inconsistency and its time to end the experiment.

Trading Burnett is the logical choice and JP has a chance to embrace a fanbase that not only doesn’t trust his judgment, but is one bad move away from wanting him run out of town.

Thanks for everything, AJ. It’s been slightly above average. So long.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, June 24th, 2008 at 11:12 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.