When A.J. Burnett came to the Pirates via a trade with the New York Yankees in February 2012, Pirates fans and those around Major League Baseball weren’t sure what to expect. Would the Pirates be getting the Burnett who went 34-35 with a 4.79 ERA in three very tumultuous seasons with the Yankees, or would they get the pitcher who once led the National League in shutouts (2002) and once lead the American League in strikeouts (2008)? Things got off to a rocky start as Burnett hurt his cheek bone trying to bunt during Spring Training, but was able to get back much faster than the expected two-to-three month recovery, and made it back on April 21, 2012 to make his first start as a Pirate. From that day forward, the 36-year-old (will be 37 in January) became a fan favorite.
Burnett brought an intensity and a passion, and was also a leader that the Pirates clubhouse hadn’t seen since the early 90s. Some casual fans might not realize how integral these attributes are in building and maintaining a winning culture and attitude. Not only did Pittsburgh fans find out that Burnett was pretty intense, but they quickly found out that he was a competitor, and also pretty damn good. With a veteran like Burnett, it’s like having two pitching coaches on your team. Sure, pitching coach Ray Searage worked with Burnett and saw same flaws from his not say great Yankees tenure, but Burnett had been to a few rodeos himself already. When you combine the two, you can bet the young Pirate arms were picking his brain every chance they got.
He is not the sole reason, but I don’t think it’s a coincidence the peak years of the Pirates turnaround happened while Burnett was on the team. Sure, things started taking shape in the 2011 season, but I think you get my drift. In his two years with Pittsburgh, Burnett has been a model of consistency. He’s gone 26-21 with a 3.41 ERA, has struck out 389 batters, made 31 starts in 2012, and 30 in 2013. Yes, he’s spent a little time on the DL, but he’s always worked his way back to give the Pirates quality innings, and for the most part, kept them in games. Burnett became the first Bucco right-hander to record 200+ strikeouts in a single season this past year, and last year became the first Pirate pitcher since Dock Ellis to win eight in a row.
Burnett’s intensity can be misinterpreted as a brash attitude at times. But he is a winner, has embraced Pittsburgh and his teammates and the fans here have embraced him. He has thanked the fans for the great crowds at PNC via Twitter, and despite his rough outing in St. Louis, has got to be thrilled to be in the postseason as the Yankees are on the outside looking in. When Burnett came to Pittsburgh, he had $33 million left owed to him over two seasons, which $20 million of it the Yankees were covering. Thus, the Pirates have only had to pay him $6.5 million (average) per season in ’12 and ’13. In today’s pitcher market, that’s a steal. And I know he’s getting up there in age, and there is some fear of Burnett becoming possibly injury prone with said age increasing, but I feel the guy has pitched his way into a new contract offer from the Pirates.
It’s safe to say the Wandy Rodriguez experiment didn’t work out, so I say offer Burnett. a two-year deal somewhere in the $10-$12 million per range. That is if Burnett wants to return after this his 15th season. Those who follow him on Twitter can see he is close to his family and maybe he’ll want to hang it up and spend more time with them. But if I were the Pirates, I would be talking extension as soon as the playoffs are over, and if he wants to retire, I think the organization and entire city should send him a thank you for his effort, intensity and being one of the players who helped turn PNC Park as the place to be the last couple seasons.
