November 19, 2008

Theo Calls AJ Burnett's Agent

Theo Epstein called Darek Braunecker (A.J. Burnett's agent) yesterday and expressed interest in the free-agent right-hander.

ESPN's Jerry Crasnick says it's a
clear sign that the Red Sox are ready to jump into the fray and compete with Toronto, the New York Yankees and several other clubs ... Newsday reported Tuesday that the Red Sox are now "fully engaged," and a source told ESPN.com that the team considers Burnett a "priority."

"They've got a lot of balls in the air," the source said of the Red Sox, "but they're involved now."
Perhaps.

Burnett, who signed a 5/55 deal with Toronto after the 2005 season, opted out of his deal with 2/24 remaining. He is probably looking for something like 4/60. Some people are ga-ga over his 18 wins last year, but his 4.07 ERA earned him a 105 ERA+ -- Tim Wakefield turned in a 112. Burnett had career highs in starts and innings pitched, but he also had a career-worst WHIP.

There have been rumours of Wakefield considering retirement. Even if that is true, I still don't think the club should throw 15 million per year at a guy with Burnett's numbers -- when he's healthy.

How about we get ourselves a catcher first?

11 comments:

Rob said...

Also sounds like D-Lowe could be had for 4/64... Who would you rather invest that contract for? Lowe or Burnett?

bdubsmitty said...

Also sounds like D-Lowe could be had for 4/64... Who would you rather invest that contract for? Lowe or Burnett?

Give me Lowe any day...he has proven himself in the postseason and we need the return of the Derek Lowe face for conversation purposes.

Patrick said...

"They've got a lot of balls in the air," the source said of the Red Sox

Sounds like a Sac fly. I wonder if this is a good thing?

Rob said...

Sounds like a rally cry.

BALLS IN THE AIR!!!

A Conformer said...

I think we're all missing a much larger issue here: how did Patrick capitalize his name? As soon as I saw it, I knew something seemed wrong.

Oh, yeah, and I wouldn't want to sign either, but if it's Burnett vs. Lowe, I vote AJ. I'm a sucker for higher-upside-but-riskier moves, I guess. Plus he's younger, and has been pitching in the AL east these last years.

Rob said...

Given AJ's history, he's a contract-year pitcher and one of questionable health, which does make signing him very risky. He's more likely to end up being another Carl Pavano type disaster than being a valuable pitcher for four years.

laura k said...

I think we're all missing a much larger issue here: how did Patrick capitalize his name? As soon as I saw it, I knew something seemed wrong.

Me too. What's up with that?

laura k said...

Hooray! Can it be no one will call me I-girl anymore?

tim said...

Heh, balls in the air.

Hooray for you L-girl! Lets see if my name is capitalized...

laura k said...

Nope! Is it capitalized in your profile?

tim said...

I don't believe so. It's better this way.