Why The Worry Over AJ Burnett? He's The Same Pitcher Signed Last Winter.

(Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)

With his most recent bad starting pitching performance, AJ Burnett has proceeded to scare the bejesus out of New York Yankee fans across the country.

It is a relief that NFL football started yesterday (Sunday the 13th) because instead of Jets and Giants football talk over the radio and TV airwaves, it would have been more of the up and down, Jekyll and Hyde AJ Burnett talk.

There is a great Talking Heads song called "Once in a Lifetime" where a passage reads "same as it ever was, same as it ever was" over and over again.

That is the synopsis of AJ Burnett's major league career. The Burnett signed by the Yankees this past off eason is the "same (Burnett) as he ever was."

But what are you really worried about, Yankee fan? This is the same guy General Manager Brian Cashman paid $81 million to over 5 years. That same guy who was 18-10 last season, but with a high ERA and WHIP (4.07 and 1.342).

Look at the comparison number this season to last year:

There is really not that much of a difference except for walks, and more walks led to more base runners (higher OBP and OPS), and also more stolen bases against him.

The key for Burnett last season was that he did most of his damage against the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees, combining for a 5-1 record, 2.05 ERA. 

That type of work will get you a big free agent contract.

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