The Yankees are on an all-out pitching blitz, but A.J. Burnett's desire for a five-year contract has bogged down the Bombers' pursuit of the righthander, according to a baseball executive familiar with the team's thinking.
The Yankees, who made a six-year, $140 million offer to CC Sabathia last week and planned to make an offer to Burnett shortly thereafter, have not made a formal proposal to the pitcher and likely won't as long as he insists on a five-year pact.
The Yanks and Burnett's agent, Darek Braunecker, are "talking parameters," according to the executive. "But right now they are saying five-year offers. The Yankees are not ready to go to five years."
Braunecker, who did not return a call or text message Friday, has talked to the Red Sox, too. But some in baseball believe Boston is more interested in a reunion with Derek Lowe and in pursuing first baseman Mark Teixeira. "I don't think they're that involved" with Burnett, the official said.
I know they need pitching, but I'm glad to see the Yankees aren't making crazy offers to everyone, one record-setting crazy offer - $14o MM for six - is enough.
Burnett may slowly be realizing that there aren't going to be many teams willing to give him five years. The Yankees won't, according to reports the Red Sox won't either, and J.P. Ricciardi shot down rumors yesterday that the Jays were willing to go for five years as well.
I think in the end Burnett may get the kind of money he's looking for, but he's probably going to have to settle on a four year deal.
5 Comments:
Agree. Four years is plenty for Burnett. Just tell me the Red Sox aren't getting Teixeira.
I wish I could Jane. They're already looking for teams who would be willing to take Mike Lowell if they did get Teixeira, so it looks like they're going to be involved.
One less year wouldn't kill him right?
Good, we don't need this injury waiting to happen.
The Yankees will be just fine without Burnett
According to the NY Post, if the Yankees got 2 of the 3 pitchers their targeting, they'd pass on Teixeira. To that, I say get C.C. and screw the rest. Burnett's an injury/dissapointment waiting to happen, and Lowe wants to be a Red Sock. I already know Lowe's not coming, I just hope the Yankees don't bring in Burnett. He's a little sense short term, no sense long term signee for the Yankees.
Hmm... C.C. and Burnett or C.C. and Teixeira? I take package B in an instant
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