A.J. Burnett

2013

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2012

The man Yankee fans love to hate was incredibly inconsistent for most of 2011, but closed the season fairly strong, going 3-0 with a 3.42 ERA in his last five starts. Burnett's stuff remains good as ever (173 strikeouts in 190.1 innings), but he gets himself into trouble with walks and finished second in the American League with 83 free passes in 2011. He comes with plenty of risk given the aforementioned control woes and that his home-run rate has increased in each of the last three seasons. Fortunately, Burnett was traded to Pittsburgh in February and now has an opportunity to pitch half of his games with more pitcher-friendly home park while moving to the weaker league.

2011

To call Burnett's 2010 season anything less than a disaster would be an understatement. Across the board, his numbers were among the worst of his career: ERA (5.26), WHIP (1.511), K/9IP (7.0) and K:BB ratio (1.86). It's impossible to point at one factor as the primary cause for his struggles, but decreased fastball velocity, an inability to generate strikeouts and a bit of bad luck (.323 BABIP) all deserve part of the blame. If his strikeout numbers realign with his career averages this season, a bounce-back campaign could be in store, and his price will likely be devalued enough in drafts that he could become a bargain.

2010

As one of two big-contract pitchers brought in by the Yankees to end their championship drought, Burnett got a full dose of the New York fishbowl, but handled the added pressure well, becoming a fan and clubhouse favorite with his whipped-cream pie antics. He stayed healthy throughout the season, allowing him to rack up 195 strikeouts in 207 innings with a reasonable 2.01 K/BB ratio. The law of averages indicates that his disappointing total of 13 wins could spike this year considering the level of run support he’s expected to get.

2009

Burnett set career highs in wins (18) and strikeouts (231) last year and exercised an out clause in his contract, making him a free agent. The Jays wanted to re-sign him, but ultimately the Yankees' five-year, $82.5 million offer was enough to lure him to the Bronx. His abilities have never been in question but staying healthy has been a big issue throughout his career. The Yankees were willing to take on the risk, although he has made at least 21 starts in each of the last four years now. With improved run support on his new club, Burnett should put up similar numbers with a potential for spike in wins.

2008

Burnett was once again sidelined for a good chunk of the season due to an injury (this time a shoulder), making just 25 starts. He was dominant upon his return, posting a nice 1.088 WHIP and 70 strikeouts in 71.2 innings after the All-Star break. There's value here given his strikeouts even when he's limited to 25 starts, but expecting a full season of health is unwise.

2007

Burnett was limited to just 21 starts due to an elbow injury, but still managed respectable totals. He was particularly good once healthy in September, allowing just 34 hits and 13 walks in 44.1 innings while striking out 45. He'll be a nice sleeper candidate due to his injury in 2006, though be aware that he's made 30 starts just once in his career.

2006

Burnett stayed mostly healthy and posted his best numbers since 2002, setting a career high for innings pitched and just missing 200 K's. The Marlins all but ran him out of town on a rail, though, as management laid the groundwork early on for their eventual decision not to even try to re-sign him. Now in Toronto, he's reunited with former pitching coach Brad Arnsberg -- whether that makes up for the change in leagues and home ballparks remains to be seen.

2005

Burnett's return from Tommy John surgery was mostly successful, but he was shut down at the end of the year with further elbow soreness. Assuming he's healthy enough to make 30 starts he should be one of the NL's top starters … but you know what can happen when you assume.

2004

After a chilly April start at Shea in which he couldn't get loose, Burnett came down with elbow soreness, which turned into Tommy John surgery -- costing him the rest of 2003, and probably costing Jeff Torborg his job. The Marlins have talked of using Burnett in the bullpen when he comes off the DL sometime around the All-Star break, a la John Smoltz, but we don't expect nearly the same results. By 2005 he should be back at full strength, however.

2003

Burnett's staggeringly impressive breakout year included more than 200 Ks, a .209 opponent's BA and five shutouts, which is why it was so heart-breaking to see Jeff Torborg work him like a government mule. After numerous meaningless starts with indefensibly high pitch counts early on, he unsurprisingly had elbow trouble later in the year before returning from the DL for one more meaningless start in September. If any young pitcher is a mutant capable of shrugging off that kind of usage it's A.J., but if Torborg doesn't change his ways surgery seems more likely down the road than does a Cy Young.