"Believe it or not, A.J. Burnett won his last three decisions of the season -- including his ALDS Game 4 victory -- the first time he had done that since starting the year 3-0.

And because he still has two seasons remaining on a five-year, $82.5 million contract, the Yankees are choosing to focus on that as they bury 2011.

"He can be as good as anybody at any time," Curtis Granderson said of Burnett, who finished 11-11 and with a 5.15 ERA -- the second straight year he had an ERA higher than 5.00.

"He's done it throughout the course of this season. Last year being around him and watching him in the postseason in 2009, he has the ability to do it every time.""