September 3, 2008
Red Sox to target A.J. Burnett
Per Ken Rosenthal:
The Red Sox are planning a major push for Blue Jays right-hander A.J. Burnett, according to a rival executive. Burnett, 31, is almost certain to opt out of his contract and become a free agent at the end of the season. Since joining the Jays in 2006, he is 4-0 with a 2.70 ERA in six starts against the Red Sox.
Burnett is 16-10 with a 4.48 ERA in 29 starts and one relief appearance this year comprising 189.1 innings. He has a reputation (deservedly so) for being injury prone, but there's no denying his talent. With everyone else fighting over CC Sabathia and Ben Sheets, A.J. would be a nice "consolation" prize. It does throw into question, however, what the Red Sox see occurring with Clay Buccholz, Michael Bowden, Justin Masterson, et. al. Thoughts?
Discussion
21 Comments on "Red Sox to target A.J. Burnett"
#1
Posted by kevin r, September 3, 2008 2:13 PM
If they try to get Burnett to a long-term contract, it makes me wonder if they don't see Beckett sticking around. Josh is signed through next year, with a club option for '10.
As far as Masterson etc go, they probably see either bullpen in their future (specifically with Masterson), or just don't want to put too many of their eggs in the young-pitcher basket.
#3
Posted by Bob, September 3, 2008 2:53 PM
No please God no, anything but a mediocre injury prone Burnett.
#4
Posted by Bay's Dad, September 3, 2008 3:36 PM
Burnett's a quality pitcher. And unless you want to throw down $25 million a year for an equally injury prone Sheets, or sign a 280 pound guy whose been ridden like a horse to an equally expensive contract over the long term, Burnett is the best financial decision.
That would give us Beckett, Lester, Burnett, Matsuzaka, Wakefield. There's still plenty of room for Buchholz or Bowden. Wakefield could be moved to the pen. And starters ALWAYS get hurt. I'd rather have a surplus of pitching than not sign a top of the rotation starter just to keep a spot open for an unknown prospect.
#5
Posted by Bay's Dad, September 3, 2008 3:38 PM
Bob, Burnett is not mediocre, he's had an ERA below 4 in each of the last 4 seasons.
#6
Posted by Sean O, September 3, 2008 3:41 PM
Or, we could realize that we can't produce a power prospect to save our lives (prove me wrong Lars), and yet there's a new pitching prospect coming up every 2 weeks. Why would we pay $15m a year for a guy with a mid-4's ERA who can barely make 25 starts a season?
#7
Posted by Bay's Dad, September 3, 2008 3:52 PM
Because he'll be a steal on this market. He's coming off his worst year of the last five. Sean O, you'd rather sign no pitching and get who? Teix for $24 million a year?
#8
Posted by Bay's Dad, September 3, 2008 3:56 PM
And Sean O, I don't get your obsession with power. Potentially 5 members of our lineup could realistically finish with 20 home runs this year. And I'm not sure what more Lars could do to impress. He's hitting .316/.436/.526 in the pitching friendly environment of Portland as a 20 year old.
#9
Posted by Sean O, September 3, 2008 4:20 PM
Why do we need to sign pitching? I don't get it. We have, at this point, Matsuzaka, Beckett (unfortunately), Lester, Buchholz, Wakefield, Bowden, and that's if you consider Monsterson a permanent set up guy. Considering pitching is the most volatile way to spend money, why should get someone with an injury history who isn't that good when healthy?
#11
Posted by Fully Manny, September 3, 2008 4:30 PM
Beckett's our number 1 or number 2 guy and you're saying we have him "unfortunately", yet you don't understand why we need pitching? Pitching wins. Period. Look at our team last year. We could stand to add a top of the rotation but not necesarily ace starter like Burnett and we could DEFINITELY use another reliever.
A better question would be why do we need offense? We're third in the league in runs scored and fifth in the league in ERA.
#13
Posted by Sean O, September 3, 2008 4:43 PM
We have more offensive holes than pitching holes coming up. We're not going to pay for a top flight reliever, while we have no catcher, LF for 3B for 2009 and beyond.
Nobody has answered why we need to spend $15-$18m on a fragile, mediocre pitcher like Burnett. I don't get why he of all people is desirable. Sheets is also an avoid at any cost starter, while I don't trust Sabathia's early workload or gigantic stomach.
#14
Posted by Bob, September 3, 2008 4:56 PM
Agreed with Sean O. Burnett can't stay healthy, exactly how much has he helped Toronto since they signed him? There is absolutely no need to sign another pitcher when we have 3 top of the rotation guys (Lester, Beckett, Dice-K) who are young and under control, a solid pitcher in Wake (who could probably pitch till he's 50), and plenty of middle-to-top of the rotation talent in the minors (Bowden, Buchholz, Kelly, Huntzinger, the list goes on). There are more holes in the lineup than in the pitching. I'd much rather find a catcher or sign Teixeira than throw a bunch of cash at mediocrity like Burnett and make no mistake he is mediocre. This is the healthiest he's been in a while and he has an era above 4. I want no part of Sheets either.
If there is a pitcher to sign it's CC, although the fact that he's being worked like a rented mule has really soured me on him too. I don't care if he weighs 500 pounds, he's never had Burnett's injury problems and he's a better pitcher. Some people are just large.
#15
Posted by Bob, September 3, 2008 4:58 PM
And the ERA stat is brought down a lot by a mediocre bullpen. That said, no one throws the type of money Burnett would take at relievers. Looking at the future the Sox need to find a 3b (unless Youk shifts for Lars) and a catcher (I'm hoping Reddick can be close to Boston in 2010)
#16
Posted by Evan Brunell, September 3, 2008 6:03 PM
Maybe they want to sign Burnett so they can deal some young pitching for catching (Miguel Montero?) and a future 3B?
#18
Posted by Gerry, September 3, 2008 11:32 PM
Agree with most. The Sox rotation is in 3 parts.
1. Beckett, Daisuke and Lester are the untouchable core for several years, each an annual potential 20 game winner. AJ is not in their league.
2. Wake, Byrd and Colon = veteran savvy and each could win 10 - 15 next year, and are a bargain. Two of these may be our best choice to fill out the rotation to start 2009. Does a healthy AJ add significantly more than any of them?
3. Buchholz, Bowden, Masterson are proven near- future stars who will start 2009 in Pawtucket or the Pen, all ready to move up when needed. They will each pitch at or above Aj's level, and I wouldn't trade any of them, as they are gold in the bank.
So where do we put AJ? Considering the market, he will be no bargain. We have a couple of needs where we must spend some $$.
We NEEEED a Fuentes/Street/Neshek to replace Gagne. No one of lesser talent.
We NEEEED to find our Martin/Posey in 2009 to apprentice under Tek. No one of lesser talent.
We are rock solid everywhere else, and will remain so when Anderson, Reddick and Co. are first called up 9/1/9.
#19
Posted by Sam, September 3, 2008 11:59 PM
I don't like it ... Reasons? Well ... Basically we don't need pitching (especially not for what he's going to cost ... bargain or no) ... In my mind its as simple as that ... No need ... Our resources are better spent elsewhere ... Don't do it Theo
#20
Posted by Joshua Hynes, September 4, 2008 10:20 PM
I'd say no. Honestly why isn't there more talk about the Sox putting together a package for Russell Martin? I'm hearing he and Torre don't eye-to-eye and they're talking of converting him to a corner infield position. Hell, even Victor Martinez.
Something. Just not AJ Burnett. Let the Yankees go down on that ship.
#21
Posted by Vince, September 30, 2008 11:26 AM
I don't know how good of idea this would be.... how about converting AJ into a reliever? Not necessarily something the red sox's might need. But other teams out there that could use a reliever, wouldn't it make sense considering AJ's stats show he is more prone to injury a year after throwing alot of innings. AJ has good stuff he'd make a great closer for a team that needs one(not red sox) and would have a greater chance of having a healthy Burnett. However AJ as a red sox reliever could very likely make a GREAT 8th inning man and as a starter well...
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