Advice for the Yankees: Pass on A.J., Load on CC

I know what you are all thinking after you read the headline.

"What are you talking about? Why load on CC Sabathia and ditch A.J. Burnett when we can have both of them with the money we have?"

My answer to you is Burnett is injury prone and has proved it over the years. Why would you want Burnett for his wished amount of five years when he obviously has had value and durability only during walk or option years. Remind you of someone?

I'll give you a hint. He was hated by ALL Yankee fans with at least 50% of a brain. Need another? His initials are C.P.

Obviously, I am talking about Carl Pavano. An injury prone pitcher Cashman signed after he put up great numbers for the Marlins in his walk year.

If you were the Yankees' GM, do you take the high risk of making the same mistake twice? It's true, Burnett is a better pitcher than Pavano, but think about it. Skill doesn't matter if you don't play.

Say you let Burnett go. Now you have more cash to throw at Derek Lowe. He has proved that he is a durable pitcher. You use whatever money you were saving by pursuing Lowe instead of Burnett by sweetening CC's offer.

If you can't sign Lowe, even with that extra cash, you use it on CC.  This increases the chances of CC's plane to be Bronx bound.

If you don't want to use a sum of cash you think is too much for CC, you invest some into the signing of Mark Texiera. The point is, pass on Burnett. You will have more payroll flexibility, probably someone who won't constantly be on the 60-day DL, and you may bring in more than you would have gotten with Burnett.

I know, the Yankees missed the postseason for the first time since the strike-shortened 1994 season. This should not mean Carl Pavano 2.0 comes to the Bronx. This should be a time to realize the biggest priorities.

1. Find out your offseason goals and needs. 

2. Get what you REALLY need.

3. Learn from past mistakes.

Translated into Yankee-ese: 

1. Prioritize Starting pitching and maybe get a big bat.

2. Get a true ace and hope for a big bat to replace Giambi and Abreu.

3. Don't make the same Carl Pavano based mistake twice.