Yankees Have Signed A.J. Burnett For Five Years, 82.5 Million Dollars

While watching ESPN, it has been made known to me that the Yankees have made their second big acquisition of the off-season in signing A.J. Burnett. While I would have gone with Derek Lowe, A.J. Burnett gives the Yankees depth in the starting rotation, and a potentially dominant pitcher.

One of the most important things about A.J. Burnett has been his history against teams in the AL East. From 2006-2008, Burnett has gone 5-0 against the Red Sox with a 2.56 ERA and has struck out more batters than he has given up hits. Against the Rays, he did go 1-2, but had a 3.12 ERA and struck out more batters than he gave up hits. These are critical stats if the Yankees want to make the playoffs.

He is a power pitcher who can be near un-hittable. Probably the most important thing about signing Burnett is that he will not face the Yankees anymore. As an avid Yankees fan, I have seen him tear up the Yankees too many times.

He does have issues being consistency and control. In my mind, he walks too many batters. He does not give up many hits (less than one per inning), but the amount of walks he gives up makes his WHIP appear more pedestrian.

He needs to be more consistent. When it comes to each season, he needs to show that he can perform in a non-contract year. His best two seasons have suspiciously come during his contract year which could make the Yankees look foolish in giving him a five year deal.

Also when it comes to each start, he needs to be more consistent mentally. Against inferior opposition, he seems to pitch down to the competition, but when playing big name teams like the Red Sox or Yankees he constantly rises to the occasion. Maybe because he is playing in pinstripes he will feel like he needs to play well enough to earn that uniform every night. I mean, playing for the Blue Jays and the Marlins is nothing compared to the Yankees.

The rotation of the Yankees now can do something it has not been able to do in years <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:Tahoma; panose-1:2 11 6 4 3 5 4 4 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:swiss; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:-520078593 -1073717157 41 0 66047 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0cm; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Tahoma; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:612.0pt 792.0pt; margin:72.0pt 90.0pt 72.0pt 90.0pt; mso-header-margin:36.0pt; mso-footer-margin:36.0pt; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> – inspire fear. Before the only starting pitcher teams feared was Wang. Though Mussina had a great year, teams never feared going to the plate against them. Also the backend of the rotation was completely laughable. Going into a three game series with the Yankees instead of seeing names like Aceves, Rasner, and Ponson, teams will see the names Sabathia, Wang, and Burnett. Joba makes a great fourth starter and even if no one is signed, Hughes can get another opportunity as the fifth starter.

The Yankees have arguably the best rotation in baseball. These signings have put the Yankees back as one of the favorites to win the World Series. The problem is that they have two other favorites in their division.

You're currently logged into Facebook

Do you want to share your Bleacher Report activity on Facebook?