Basically, AJ Burnett might have the best arsenal of pitches in the major leagues. I don’t think anyone would debate he is at least in the top-5. For some reason, that talent has not translated to overwhelming results. The big question about Burnett is can he eventually turn the corner. Sustained health might be one way to achieve that, but perhaps pitching in a more focused environment might also make a difference.

There is no way to get past that Burnett is a big gamble at $80mn, but if the Yankees feel they can absorb the worst case scenario, then I think it is probably worth the risk (If you already have CC, Wang, Joba and Pettitte, the worst case scenario is having Hughes and Aceves will Burnett’s slot). It might be a narrow view point, but I look at AJ Burnett as the kind of weapon you want in the post season. He may be inconsistent during the regular season and very well could miss 10-15 starts, but if you get his A-game in the post season, you could ride him through the playoffs. That is essentially what has happened with Beckett.

For all the fuss about Burnett’s stuff, amoung the 4 big guys we’re looking at (Pettitte / Sheets / Lowe / Burnett ) Burnett has the lowest career peak season by THE WOOPING STATE OF TEXAS, it’s not even close. and he’s also the worse in terms of career, it’s almost a no brainer to say that he’s #4 on this list in terms of pitching talent, he’s also not the youngest, he’s also asking for the most year and money.

WHY?

Let’s just remind everyone again

Burnett: age 31, career ERA+ 111, best season with over 200 IP , 2002 122 ERA+

Sheets: age 29, career ERA+ 116, best season with over 200 IP, 2004, 162 ERA+

Lowe: age 35 career ERA+ 122, best season with over 200 IP, 2002 177 ERA+ (!)

Pettitte: age 36 career ERA+ 116, best season over 200 IP, 2005, 177 ERA+ (!)

you see, Burnett’s best sesaon is nowhere in the same arena as those other 3, he also has the worest career ERA+, he’s also started the second fewest inning in the last 3 season amoung the 4.

IMHO, all 4 of them have some questionmarks, they make a good short term deal and/or bargin deal but very risky long term deals. the approach should be to see who is willing to take the lowest offer, not trying to slam one of them with a big one.

Teixeira remains the most obvious target we should get, over anyone, even taking some risk at the back end rotation is ok, in the regular season, if the Yankees hit like the Yankee and/or field like major leaguers they can survive espically with a good front rotation, and in the post season the back rotation doesn’t matter anyway.

c’mon Bravos, scoop you up some Carol to go w/ Jair!!!

before you check out those horace records, i’ll let you know how they are. i don’t care much for Serenade, but will most likely pick up the other title soon…

soooo cool about Too Much Sake! that’s on Tokyo Blues, right? i’ll be picking that up soon. promise! that’s Horace’s favorite BN album cover! i’m not surprised. he seems like such a cool cat!!! i’ve got “Finger Poppin’” on the way to me and a handful of others on my “wish list”…

[33] Yes, some part of me can’t let go of the hope that the Braves will win him over.

Don’t know that Horace but will have to check it out.

“Forget-year-party” is how you translate literally the end-of-year parties here!

man..about Horace Silver..I go about once a month to this tiny jazz bar here run by a guy in his mid-70s. he used to hang out with US soldiers in the 50s and get jazz records from them, he has over 6000 original vinyl, almost all of which are hard-bop and soul-jazz..you would TRIP if I took you to this place. And the guy hung out with Horace Silver on his trips to Tokyo, and claims that the song “Too Much Sake” is about their drinking sessions together..

thanks in advance for the 70′s BN list! NO rush whatsoever. i still have a decent sized list (~25/30+) of the regular “classics” to pickup…

you know about Horace Silver’s “You Gotta Take A Little Love”? i think it’s ’69 on BN. Cobham’s on drums. i have Serenade To A Soul Sister and it’s not that good, but i think i might pick up the former, for the “collection.” i can get it kinda cheap. we’ll see…

enjoy your “forget-year-party”, whatever that is!!! do you still get those crazy 3-day weekends for “nature day” & “sports day”, etc. ?!?! soooo funny !!!!

Thelarmis, I got a “forget-year-party” tonight here, but this weekend will write up a list of recommended 70s Blue Note funk for you. Yes, a lot of crap was recorded, but the gems are sho’nuff funky with drumming you will Love…

pete abe has a cool old photo of REG-GIE up that i’m not familiar with. it’s a cool pose shot w/ “JAX” written on his batting glove. cool.

it’s just a post about the CC recruiting process, no real news, ie: cash/andy…

Carol: please go to the Braves. you’ll K more batters and i can attest to the fact that Atlanta is a wonderful & terrific city!!! : )

check out the movie Spaceballs – “i’m gonna go to the golf course and work on my putz!!!”

[27] i think i’m quite fearful of most hard-bop guys once they enter the 70′s. herbie, is exempt, of course. don’t kill me, but i’m not even a HUGE Weather Report fan. btw, you were totally RIGHT about the All Seeing Eye. that is some seriously HEAVY music. good lord!!! wow…

i hope Alex stays healthy and productive. i will salivate over his career #’s for the rest of my days…