Back in late 2008, the New York Yankees eagerly handed A.J. Burnett(notes) a five-year contract worth $82.5 million.
Less than two years later, the Yanks can't even hand Burnett the ball for a measly ALDS start against the Minnesota Twins, the New York Post reports.
Hope GM Brian Cashman saved his receipt — or at least bought an extended warranty.
If the report holds up — manager Joe Girardi will announce the rotation later Tuesday — Burnett certainly earned the lack of trust from the higher-ups.
He was terrible over the last part of the season, going 2-10 with a 6.61 ERA in his 12 starts in August and September. The Yankees were rolling the dice every time they sent him out there.
But even though they'd be gambling by starting him in Game 2, I still think it's a risk the Yankees should take. Burnett was 1-0 with a 1.54 ERA in two starts against the Twins this year and he pitched six innings of one-run ball against them in the 2009 ALDS. It's the type of situation that would allow Burnett to build confidence for the later rounds — where the Yankees will definitely need him if they advance that far.
Instead, it looks like the Yankees will ask CC Sabathia(notes) — the pitching pickup who is earning his keep — to take the ball for Wednesday's Game 1 and Sunday's Game 4 (which would come on short rest).
Andy Pettitte(notes), meanwhile, would take his turn on Thursday's Game 2 and Tuesday's if-necessary Game 5 (on regular rest). That's fine if Pettitte is his usual playoff self, but not as much if he's the rusty 38-year-old guy who only recently returned from injury.
That leaves Saturday's Game 3 at Yankee Stadium for Phil Hughes(notes).
Going through the playoffs with a three-man rotation is nothing new for the Yankees. They won the 2009 World Series with one.
But Burnett was one of those three pitchers last season. Now that he can't even be counted upon to start one game in the ALDS, where does that leave the Yankees?
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Related: CC Sabathia, Phil Hughes, A.J. Burnett, Andy Pettitte, Minnesota Twins, New York Yankees, 2010 Postseason, 2010 ALDS - Twins v Yankees
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