Yanks' get nothing, and like it

Posted by Jon Creem.

On the eve of pitchers and catchers reporting to spring training the Yankees deal once World Series hero, A.J. Burnett, to the Pirates. The details of the trade, however, are making Yankee fans scratch their heads.

A.J. Burnett

Game two of the 2009 World Series is most likely the lasting image of A.J. Burnett's career as a Yankee. Since then, his win totals have dropped, his loss totals have risen, he has lost a little mustard on his fastball, and he has lost support of the Yankee organization and fan base. Coming off a 18 wins season in Toronto, the Yankees spending spree of 2009 saw Burnett come in with a 5 year, $82.5 million contract, and making him the overnight number two in the eventual World Series champion's rotations. What would be an unprecedented amount of money and commitment for the majority of other teams in the league, the contract was business as usual for the Bronx Bombers. Analysts conclude that Burnett's best years as a Yankee were over after the right-hander went 11-11, with an ERA of 5.15 and who's 31 homers against him was a career high, but to the Yankee organization, that first year was worth the contract. 

The Yankees traded Burnett to the Pirates for two prospects that we will get into later, but first lets talk about the numbers. Burnett is owed roughly $33 million on the contract from 09'. The Pirates, being the small market they are most definitely could not handle Burnett's contract fully with the investment still that big. So now, the Yankees are paying $20 million of the $33 million Burnett is owed for the next two years. According to an article by ESPN MLB, the Pirates will pay Burnett the remaining $13 million with $5 million this year, and $8 million the next. 

The Yankees didn't get much in return for Burnett either. The two low level minor leaguers include 20-year old outfielder  Exicardo Cayones and 25-year old right-hander Diego Moreno. Fox News Latino reports that Cayones batted .293 with no homers and 12 RBI for the Gulf Coast Pirates in Pittsburgh's Rookie League team last year. Moreno, playing seven games for Double-A went 0-0 with a 4.91 ERA, and before that went 2-4 with a 3.21 ERA in relief Bradenton of the Florida State League. Neither of the the two players seem will have much impact in the Yankees organization this season or in the near future. So why make the deal?

Raul Ibanez

The deal, as we found out, was most likely made so that outfielder Raul Ibanez can be brought in to add to the Yankee offense. Ibanez, who is 39 will be used primarily as a DH, now that Jorge Posada has retired, although he can still play a couple games in left field if the Yankees need him too. Coming off a solid year where Ibanez hit .245 with 20 homers, the Yankees signed him for one 1-year $1.1 million. What does the Burnett deal have to do with Ibanez signing? Even though the Yankees are paying Burnett $20 million to pitch for another team, they are saving themselves $5 million and utilizing it to sign Ibanez and possibly to re-sign Eric Chavez.

The Yankees are known for their big spending, and the Burnett deal is no different. As I said before, any other team would have a real problem letting go a guy they've already invested close to $70 million for two players that aren't going to be used in the near future, but that's the kind of organization the Yankees are. Burnett's time in the Bronx was over, but even without him the Yankees still look to be a favorite in the American League.

You can read up about my co-writer, Anthony Romano's predictions on how well the Yankees will do this season as he predicts the AL East standings for the 2012 season.