A Plea to The Yankees: Stay Away From Burnett

As the New York Yankees historic signing of CC Sabathia was announced to the public over the course of the past few days, the Yankees front office is still working feverishly behind the scenes to land a few more big names.

For any other franchise in baseball one mega deal would suffice for one off-season, but this is the Yankees we are talking about.

Rumors are swirling around the Internet that the Bronx Bombers are currently in pursuit of Derek Lowe, Ben Sheets, and AJ Burnett with hopes of landing two out of the three.  They are also courting Mark Teixeira as a possible replacement for Jason Giambi at first base.

It is no secret that starting pitching was a glaring weakness for the Yankees this past season, so Brian Cashman has made it his priority to do whatever possible to upgrade that section of the roster.

With the contracts of Giambi, Mike Mussina, Andy Pettitte, and Bobby Abreu coming off the payroll the Yankees have millions to spend, and they will make sure to buy as many big names as they can.  Brian Cashman feels the need to make a big splash in the free agent market as the Yankees missed the postseason for the first time since the early nineties last year.

Sources speculate that the Yankees have offered Ben Sheets a two year deal worth twenty six million and AJ Burnett a five year contract in the ballpark of eighty million dollars.  They are still discussing years and money with Derek Lowe and Andy Pettitte.

Brian Cashman if you can hear me: Take the offer for AJ Burnett off the table NOW!

Burnett is going to be Carl Pavano volume two.  The Yankees do not need another starting pitcher strapped down in years and money.  He is not worth the risk.  If Cashman really wants Burnett that bad, offer him less years and money but load the contract with incentives.

Ben Sheets is easily the better option of the two.  He is a less risky investment because he will not be guaranteed a lengthy contract and will not demand the same amount of money.  Plus he is as good if not better than Burnett when he is healthy.

If the Yankees sign Burnett and Lowe, they will enter enter the starting rotation next season along side Sabathia, Chen-Ming Wang, and Joba Chamberlain.  That will easily be one of the best rotations in the league, but where does that leave Phil Hughes?

Cashman refused to include Hughes in a trade for Johan Santana last winter, so obviously he is in the Yankees long term plans.  But with all of the aforementioned players already in the rotation, Hughes would not be a full time starter for at least another four years (when Lowe's contract expires).

The Yankees should pursue Sheets and re-sign Andy Pettitte for one last season.  This way Hughes can replace Pettitte as the fifth starter after next year.  And also the Yankees would not be stuck with an injury prone pitcher for another five seasons.

Please Brian Cashman, do the right thing.  I know you have it in you.