AJ to New York done deal according to ESPN

[geschinger]

It's a bad contract, no doubt about it. However it is not much more of a premium than what everyone is hoping we dole out to Teix... A year too much and ~$25m too much.

[davearm]

Exactly. For at least 28 other teams, if this blew up it would be a crippling disaster. For the Yankees, if it blows up its an inconvenience.

The fact that they're jumping into this right after emerging from the Pavano disaster really shows you how impervious they are to these deals blowing up on them.

[byrdz]

Highest Paid Pitchers

CC Sabathia, NYY 2009-15 $23,000,000

Johan Santana, NYM 2008-13 $22,916,667

Carlos Zambrano, Cubs 2008-12 $18,300,000

Barry Zito, SF 2007-13 $18,000,000

AJ Burnett, NY 2009- $16.5

Jason Schmidt, LAD 2007-09 $15,666,667

[Stotle]

I guess I'll stand sort of alone and say it sounds like an okay deal for the Yankees. I don't for a second think that $16mios+ per year will limit the Yankees's ability to make moves down the line. The upside is one of the best rotations in baseball, and the downside is eating some money and getting someone else later. They've already punted their first round pick, so it's only a 2nd rounder and they have a 1st and 2nd rounder already from the two picks they didn't sign last year.

Eh, seems like an expensive deal that could hurt a team with less financial flexibility, but I don't see it damaging NY. They aren't punting on the draft as a strategy, which really was what in part lead to the downturn over the last several seasons.

[OrioleBird79]

IF AJ stays healthy... big if... that is a great 1-2-3 punch they've got going there with CC, Burnett and Joba.

It'll be fun to watch them play the Red Sox in the ACLS again.

Do not forget Chen Ming-Wang. That is a great 1-2-3-4 puch and I do no think they are done. I wouldn't be shocked if they signed Sheets too.

[twoBshorty]

Anyone think this might provoke Boston to push harder for Teixeira?

There's no pressure that wasn't already there from Sabathia. I think they've gone away from the model of flipping out in response to everything the Yankees do.

re: Burnett, the Yankees will never get it. I've seen this movie on repeat for the last 8 years and it always seems to end in a spiral of first-round playoff exits and more bloated contracts. Have at it, New York!

[Frobby]

The fact that they're jumping into this right after emerging from the Pavano disaster really shows you how impervious they are to these deals blowing up on them.

Of course, when you look at the Yankees' performance the last 4 years relative to before, you really can see that Pavano's non-performance did hurt them. Just not as much as it would have hurt someone else.

[Rex Thunder]

I am glad this is happening.

Terrible contract to give AJ.

I second that. Hello Carl Pavano.

[bluedog]

Anyone think this might provoke Boston to push harder for Teixeira?

Nope - I think Boston is more likely to pop champagne over this than overreact and up their bid to Tex.

CC simply replaced the 20 wins that Mussina took with him.

AJ and his injury history will be lucky to match the production the Yanks got from Pettite.

The Yanks still need a #5, still need to replace Abreu and Giambi and still have almost no depth available at a number of key positions where they are old and getting older.

At this point I don't even consider NY to be a contender.

[OrioleBird79]

I second that. Hello Carl Pavano.

They paid Pettite $16 Million last season and AJ is a better pitcher at this point in his career. I do not like the 5th year, but the dollar amount seems fine to me.

[OrioleBird79]

Nope - I think Boston is more likely to pop champagne over this than overreact and up their bid to Tex.

CC simply replaced the 20 wins that Mussina took with him.

AJ and his injury history will be lucky to match the production the Yanks got from Pettite.

The Yanks still need a #5, still need to replace Abreu and Giambi and still have almost no depth available at a number of key positions where they are old and getting older.

At this point I don't even consider NY to be a contender.

I would consider the Yankees and Cubs to be the early World Series favorites. The Yankee lineup can hit and suddenly they can pitch pretty well too. They could easily deal Hughes, plus 3 minor leaguers for Prince Fielder.

[clapdiddy]

Well...I guess its time for Tex to sign with Boston now. They need to one-up the Yankees, so I guess that's probably what's coming up.

[Rex Thunder]

Highest Paid Pitchers

CC Sabathia, NYY 2009-15 $23,000,000

Johan Santana, NYM 2008-13 $22,916,667

Carlos Zambrano, Cubs 2008-12 $18,300,000

Barry Zito, SF 2007-13 $18,000,000

AJ Burnett, NY 2009- $16.5

Jason Schmidt, LAD 2007-09 $15,666,667

Wow, that right there is example A of why this is an awful contract. Even without the injuries, there are no guarantees. Wow- what a bomb he was.

[geschinger]

Amazing how what team someone signs with changes the perception of their ability... It seemed like most people wanted the Orioles to try and get Burnett. Now it seems like many people think he'll be Carl Pavano 2.0. Makes me wonder why so many people wanted the Orioles to sign Carl Pavano 2.0.

[bluedog]

They paid Pettite $16 Million last season and AJ is a better pitcher if he stay's healthy at this point in his career. I do not like the 5th year, but the dollar amount seems fine to me.

There I fixed that for you.