The Yankees Finally Make The Right Move And Rid Themselves Of Burnett

The day has finally arrived. Allan James Burnett is no longer wearing pinstripes. We can all rejoice!

Today, the Yankees traded away the 35 year old right hander to the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for two middle of the road minor league prospects. The trade comes after days of rumors regarding the veteran pitcher.

Many Yankees fans have been awaiting this day for the past three years as Burnett never blossomed in the Bronx.  In fact, it would appear that the Yankees vastly overpaid for the 2009 free agent. Burnett accumulated a 34-35 record with a below average 4.79 ERA with New York.

It did not help that Burnett could not even reach home plate on frequent occasion.  The right hander racked up 58 wild pitches over his three-year stint with the Yankees.  It seemed to be a guarantee run once a runner reached third base and no contact even had to be made by the batter.

These stats prove that the Yankees won today's trade. The Pirates could have exchanged a bucket of baseballs and two packs of bazooka bubble gum and it would have still been a no-brainer for New York.

Aside from Burnett's abysmal statistics, the Yankees have, for the first time in a long time, an abundance of pitching after a busy off season when traded for young stud Michael Pineda and signed veteran Hiroki Kuroda

Before today's trade, New York's pitching staff included CC Sabathia, Ivan Nova, Freddie Garcia, AJ Burnett, Pineda and Kuroda.  Yes, depth at pitching is one of the biggest assets for any major league club, but Burnett was just absorbing money and taking a roster spot for somebody who might actually be worth their contract.

Who knows?  Maybe Burnett will finish 18 and 4 and flourish. Maybe he will win the National League Cy Young Award in Pittsburgh. Maybe, he will lead the Pirates to the playoffs or even the World Series.  But if I had to sit through one more inning of number 34 on the mound for the Yankees, it would have been too much.

About this article

Article Author: Jake Lasofsky

Jake is studying journalism at the University of Missouri. He is a sports zealot and hopes to someday become involved in the sports journalism field. He is a passionate New York Yankees, Philadelphia Eagles and, of course, Mizzou Tigers fan. …

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Article Tags

AJ Burnett, baseball, Brett Gardner, Curtis Granderson, Hiroki Kuroda, Michael Pineda, MLB, New York Yankees, Pittsburgh Pirates, Robinson Cano, trade, Yankees Make Right Move By Trading Burnett,

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