Even though I was too often frustrated by AJ Burnett, I’m truly hoping for him to find success in his new baseball home.
Brian
Cashman finally succeeded in trading Burnett to another team willing to take a
chance on him.
After three years of inconsistency, with flashes of the talent
that led the New York Yankees to give him that humongous contract mixed in, the
Yankees finally admitted what the rest of the baseball world probably already
knew: that Burnett was never going to become the pitcher they thought he could
be, at least not in New York.
I think
Cashman deserves huge kudos for this trade, even though he is only getting
marginal prospects in return. I’m actually surprised he persuaded the
small-market Pirates to pay $13 million of the remaining $33 million for
Burnett’s services, given his struggles in New York and the Yankees’ apparent desperation
to move him. But just because Burnett could not succeed in the Big Apple does
not mean he cannot do well in Pittsburgh. On the contrary, I think this trade
could actually be great for him in a lot of ways, including eliminating the
glare of the New York spotlight and leaving the tough American League East for
the National League.
No matter
his struggles, I never rooted against Burnett. I really did want AJ to succeed
in New York, mainly because I always felt the Yankees would be a much better
team if he ever could figure things out on the mound. And Burnett, despite his
tantrums at times, seems to be a good guy, well-liked by his teammates and
coaches and a mentor to young Ivan Nova. Perhaps Burnett could slide into a
role as a wise elder in Pittsburgh, a role that will give him purpose and the
strength to become a better pitcher.
AJ, I wish
you nothing but the best.
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