Braves going to offer Burnett contract

by Fischerking on Dec 3, 2008 9:53 AM EST

This from Yahoo:

While the New York Yankees sit and wait for CC Sabathia to decide whether it's worth $140 million to pitch in New York, the Atlanta Braves have put themselves in position to take one of the other big names off the free-agent market, according to a report in the New York Daily News.

Just as they were finalizing a trade for Javier Vazquez, the Braves were preparing a five-year offer for A.J. Burnett, according to sources. Burnett, considered the No.2 starter on the market, was expected to wait for Sabathia to make the first move. But with the Yankees, Red Sox and Blue Jays all apparently hesitant to give Burnett a fifth year, the 31-year-old might jump at Atlanta's offer before Sabathia makes his decision.

This FanPost does not express the views or opinions of Talking Chop.

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Ehhhh...

I said at the beginning of the offseason that a 5th year would be very bad news. I stand by that statement.

by soup du jour on Dec 3, 2008 10:12 AM EST reply actions

Yep.

by BraveBronco0121 on Dec 3, 2008 10:14 AM EST up reply actions

agreed

5 years is insane for a pitcher that has pitched full seasons only every third year. he will handcuff us over the long run

by jeg on Dec 3, 2008 2:36 PM EST up reply actions

Now it depends

What happens if Burnett suddenly becomes Kevin Brown another pitcher who early in his career spent about as much time on the DL as he did on the mound. But In his early 30’s became on the most Dominate starters in the major leagues. It only looks bad for a 5 year deal if he is hurt. He could just as easily go out and throw 195-210 innings and win 15-18 games every year so don’t judge the guy now do it in 3 years.

by mauck98 on Dec 3, 2008 10:46 AM EST reply actions

Yeah, and pigs could fly. The 50th percentile outcome here is certainly not getting 200 IP a season out of a 32-36 year old pitcher with one of the most significant injury histories in baseball.

This would be a terrible move for the Braves unless something ridiculous happens. No one disputes that Burnett is one of the better pitchers in baseball (he’s surely an ace when healthy), what I’m disputing is that he can give us 1000 innings (hell, I doubt he throws 750) over five years. If we’re paying him $15+ million, he needs to do that because those innings he misses will be thrown by pitchers far inferior to his talent level.

by 17843 on Dec 3, 2008 2:28 PM EST up reply actions

5 years

The braves are always smart about contracts. I believe they will offer him 16 million per year with a club option for the fifth year at about the same price or just a little bit lower. The yankees might go 18.5 million for four. The yankees are going to loose out on CC and Burnett ha ha.

by Tradechipper on Dec 3, 2008 3:00 PM EST reply actions

I would be fine with a 5 year deal…Atlanta needs to win immediately, you all know how fast ATL fans turn. Another losing season could mean terrible attendance. Burnett gives us the best chance of winning, even if he is a huge injury risk.

I think we should also deal for Andy Sonnanstine of the Rays. I think he is an up and coming mid of the rotation stalworth, and his price is relatively cheap right now. I would like to see Jorge Campillo stay in the bullpen for long relief and spot starting.

SP1-AJ Burnett
SP2-Javier Vazquez
SP3-Jair Jurrjens
SP4-Andy Sonnanstine
SP5-Morton/Reyes/Medlen/ToddRedmond/Hanson——Prob. mostly Reyes since he is the only lefty…

by bwellnjonesco on Dec 3, 2008 3:04 PM EST reply actions

Fans will turn out when we start contending. Whether that is 2009 or 2010 is irrelevant to attendance. The revenue lost won’t be significant if we actually plan for it (ie, keep the payroll low while we lose this season and increase it next year when we can contend). If instead we continue spending $90-100 million for a 75 win team we’ll lose money.

by 17843 on Dec 3, 2008 3:08 PM EST up reply actions

lol

Jo-Jo Reyes getting the nod over Tommy Hanson because he’s a lefty.

No wonder nobody likes you, Tuttle... everything's a (Pujols) damn debate.

by royhobbs on Dec 3, 2008 3:13 PM EST up reply actions

…and the fact that Hanson probably won’t even be on the big league roster…I only put him in that group because I expect him at some point in the season, but not the first few months (unless he pitches a few back to back no hitters at AAA)…Braves should just take their time with Hanson, atleast until midseason…hes too valueable to mess up…

I’m still a believer in Reyes…btw

by bwellnjonesco on Dec 3, 2008 4:34 PM EST up reply actions

that ship sailed a long time ago…hope you enjoy being in the middle of nowhere in the atlantic

Following the Braves...one long hard drink at a time.

by bigjoe on Dec 3, 2008 4:43 PM EST up reply actions

I commend your confidence in Reyes, but I don’t think he’ll succeed in Atlanta. Yeah, I’m aware that he’s still only 23, and that there is a lot of room from improvement, but every time he’s been called up, he’s getting torn into. Last season’s 3-11 record probably sits on his mind a lot, and the way he pretty much told Smoltz and Glavine to stop giving him advice shows a little bit of frustration on his part. He pitches well in the minors, with pretty much a strikeout an inning, but can’t ever translate it in the majors. He nibbles too much and umps aren’t going to give him those calls. He seems frustrated, shaken, and his confidence seems dinged. Seems clichéd, but I think Jo-Jo needs a change of scenery to find himself again, much like Kyle Davies seems to have been doing.

No wonder nobody likes you, Tuttle... everything's a (Pujols) damn debate.

by royhobbs on Dec 3, 2008 4:55 PM EST up reply actions

ESPN just said the Braves have officially offered Burnett a contract. Humorously, they initially said it was 5 years/140 mill but the anchor flipped out and said it was a mistake. The (real) terms haven’t been disclosed yet.

by coldriver10 on Dec 3, 2008 6:36 PM EST reply actions