AJ Burnett to return in 2014

[joncarlos]

Not necessarily for the Pirates.

The Pirates did say they "moved on" from him, and right now technically have 5 other starters (Cole, Liriano, Wandy, Morton, Volquez) but it would be a shame to see him go somewhere else.

[mjl]

There's no way that the Pirates think Volquez is blocking Burnett... is there?

[Moonlight J]

That's a lot of faith in Wandy as well.

[Bodhizefa]

Woohoo!

[Pogues]

I thought it was humorous that AJ said he was returning this year...but hasn't been signed with a team. Perhaps he should have said "I'm ready to return for the 2014 season, and will entertain offers from all teams."

[Judge Jude]

I'd love to see a list of MLB teams whose rotation is too deep to handle a 107-107 ERA+ SP over the last two seasons, even at his age.

Granted, he's no Volquez, who hasn't hit that high-water mark since the 2008 All-Star break - a year before Burnett put up a 114 for a WS champ Yankees - but still.

[madducks]

The Pirates offered $8.5 million to Burnett after he made $16.5 million each of the last two years with the Pirates portion of his salary only being $6.5 million each year. Heres' what the rest of their rotation will make in 2014:

Francisco Liriano $8 mil
Gerrit Cole $0.490 mil
Wandy Rodriguez $7.5 mil (Pirates portion of $13 mil)
Charlie Morton $4 mil
Edinson Volquez $5 mil

Only Morton is signed beyond 2014 and his salary doubles next year. I believe Cole doesn't hit arbitration until 2017. I think it's a solid top four. If Volquez tanks, top prospect Jameson Taillon could be ready to take over his spot by mid-season. Jeff Locke or Brandon Cumpton will likely be called upon to replace any injured or ineffective starters early in the season. Liriano, Rodriguez, and Locke are the only left handers. So, i wouldn't be surprised if Pittsburgh makes a low ball long term offer to Liriano soon.

[willthethrill]

I'd love for the Phillies to take him for a year. Plus, he's the right age (37), so he'll fit right in.

[joncarlos]

The Orioles are another logical choice, if he wants to stay close to home. If he's willing to travel, the Mariners might make some sense, or the Angels.

[Bodhizefa]

The Pirates offered $8.5 million to Burnett after he made $16.5 million each of the last two years with the Pirates portion of his salary only being $6.5 million each year. Heres' what the rest of their rotation will make in 2014:

Francisco Liriano $8 mil
Gerrit Cole $0.490 mil
Wandy Rodriguez $7.5 mil (Pirates portion of $13 mil)
Charlie Morton $4 mil
Edinson Volquez $5 mil

Only Morton is signed beyond 2014 and his salary doubles next year. I believe Cole doesn't hit arbitration until 2017. I think it's a solid top four. If Volquez tanks, top prospect Jameson Taillon could be ready to take over his spot by mid-season. Jeff Locke or Brandon Cumpton will likely be called upon to replace any injured or ineffective starters early in the season. Liriano, Rodriguez, and Locke are the only left handers. So, i wouldn't be surprised if Pittsburgh makes a low ball long term offer to Liriano soon.

It's a solid top two, but after that, they have health and talent questions. You can't count on Wandy or Morton for more than 150 innings a piece, and that's a problem. Burnett's smart to want to go out and get a top-dollar offer, and I would think Pittsburgh would want to at least try to make him that offer because they need his arm in their rotation.

Burnett should be on pretty much every team's radar at this point. He's a lot like Hiroki Kuroda -- a good pitcher who can (likely) be had on a one-year deal. I bet there are a lot of teams out there who would rather pony up $15+ million for one year of Burnett than $50+ million for Ervin Santana or Ubaldo Jimenez. I could see Burnett landing just about anywhere. Here's hoping it's with the M's

[Mithrandir]

I thought he said he would ONLY pitch for the Pirates? Or am i mistaken?

[Bodhizefa]

I thought he said he would ONLY pitch for the Pirates? Or am i mistaken?

That's what he said in October, but sources are now reporting he's going to be a full-fledged free agent.

[madducks]

I thought he said he would ONLY pitch for the Pirates? Or am i mistaken?

And you believed him?

I guess he wasn't expecting the Pirates to be so firm on their original low offer of $8.5 mil. They may have been able to get him for $10-12 mil. He'll probably get $12-14 mil with another team. Hurdle choosing Cole to start game 5 of the NLDS didn't sit well with Burnett either.

[Erik]

I'd love for the Phillies to take him for a year. Plus, he's the right age (37), so he'll fit right in.

Yep. If you're signing the likes of Marlon Byrd as stopgaps, why not Burnett too?

[Pogues]

I'd love for the Phillies to take him for a year. Plus, he's the right age (37), so he'll fit right in.

That might drop the average age in Philly by a year or so.