AJ Burnett signs with Phillies

[DragonsDoExist]

Yeah let's trust the guy who's never put back to back season together like the one he had last year (Liriano), the guy coming off both hip and Tommy John surgery within the past 3 years and has thrown more than 116 innings once in his career (Morton), and the guy who has 19 career starts (Cole) over the guy who's led the team in pretty much every statistical category over the last 2 years and in fact led the NL in many of those as well. Not to mention everything he brought to the clubhouse as far as fire and leadership! Now before u jump down my throat I think $16M was toooo much but to write him off as being washed up or over the hill or that the other guys are more "reliable" is comical. By the way I love Cole and think he's gonna be a stud. To me the offense doesn't look like it's gonna be any more productive so u need SPs that are going to keep the score down and give u innings which is what AJ could do on a more consistent basis than any of the other starters over the last 2 seasons.

[Crimson's Ghost]

Fire and leadership aren't quantifiable statistics, and is probably the most overrated aspect in AJ Burnett's argument.


These guys are professionals, what the hell do they need Burnett to make them better?

[DragonsDoExist]

Bob Walk said it matters!!!

[DragonsDoExist]

All kidding aside the young guys actually do pick up a lot from a veteran like AJ. Tony Sanchez is on record saying about how much just being around a guy like Russell Martin for one season has meant to his development. They are indeed all professionals but the young guys still have lots to learn.

[DragonsDoExist]

Pulled this from article just posted on FoxSports website...

Phillies outfielder Marlon Byrd, who was Burnett's teammate with the Pirates in the final month of last season, said the pitcher "was the ultimate leader over there. He'd give a look, and that's all it took. It would be a full conversation, just from a look."

Byrd said that Burnett also talked mechanics, watched other pitchers' bullpen sessions, encouraged them to come to the park early. Burnett, according to Byrd, would tell a pitcher such as right-hander Charlie Morton, "You're filthy. No, you don't get it. You're filthy. Amazing."

"He would instill that confidence in those guys, tell 'em over and over," Byrd said.

[crfball]

So when Burnett retires how are these teams ever going to move on?

[bleacherbum]

Wonder what he told his young followers (McDonald and Locke) after they fell apart? Whatever it was it didn't work.

You can say all you want about his veteran leadership in the clubhouse. He might have some of that between April and September. But throughout his career seems his leadership drys up in October.

I say see ya!

[DragonsDoExist]

Just so I'm clear...no way did I think the Bucs should have paid AJ what Philly did. I'm just saying he's not going to be as easily replaced as everyone is making it seem and nor do I have any confidence that the $ they "saved" will be spent elsewhere to better the team. Old or not AJ was still statistically the best and most reliable SP on the staff over the course of the last 2 seasons. So did I think he should've been brought back for $16M? No. Do I think Pirate fans will wish he would've been by mid season? Yes.

[Eaglealum]

Replacing him isn't the biggest gripe I have. It's that I doubt they pay what Liriano will command after the season, and wandys gone at seasons end... If they wouldn't have waited on AJ , they could've had Phil Hughs and /or nolasco for 2/3 years to bridge gap for what they would've spent(one was 8.6/yr other was 12.3) bucs got hosed! I hope batman gets bombed in philly

[Eaglealum]

My post yesterday got me thinking, so I checked. If the Bucs don't wait on Burnett, they could've had James Loney AND Phil Hughs for 3 yrs each for 1.6 mill over Burnetts qualifying offer. Loney signed 21/3yrs and Hughs got 8.6/yr including incentives( could be less. Loyalty doesn't belong in business world.