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A.J. Burnett News & Rumors

Yankees talking to Pittsburgh Pirates in effort to get rid of struggling righty A.J. Burnett
February 11
New York Daily News
 
"In an effort to rid themselves of underperforming pitcher A.J. Burnett, the Yankees are turning to a familiar trading partner. A team source confirmed Friday that the Yankees have held recent discussions with the Pirates about Burnett, with the understanding that the Bombers would have to absorb a "significant" portion of the flighty righty's contract, which has two years and $33 million remaining. Removing even a few million dollars of their obligation to Burnett would free up the Yankees to sign another bat — such as potential designated hitters Raul Ibanez or ex-Yanks Johnny Damon and Hideki Matsui. They also are considering bringing back infielder Eric Chavez. Burnett has had more"
Pirates, Yankees discuss possible deal for A.J. Burnett
February 11
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
 
"Talks between the Pirates and New York Yankees regarding a trade that would bring Yankees starter A.J. Burnett to Pittsburgh were moving forward Friday evening, according to an industry source. First baseman/right fielder Garrett Jones, previously reported as a player the Yankees wanted to acquire in the deal, was not part of the discussions, the source said. It seems the Pirates prefer to assume more of Burnett's salary rather than part with players from their organization. Burnett will earn $33 million over the next two years, the final seasons of a five-year, $82.5 million contract he signed before the 2009 season. The Pirates agreed to pay $10 million of the $33 million owed to"
Yanks, Pirates talking Burnett trade
February 10
CBSSports.com
 
"The Yankees and Pirates are continuing to talk about a possible A.J. Burnett trade that could lead to more activity in the form of a couple free-agent signings by the Yankees. As of Thursday night, the teams were thought to be a few million apart in the Burnett negotiations, but they were still talking and there is some hope for a deal. The Yankees, in a twist, want to clear some money to sign their preferred positional candidates. They are considering Raul Ibanez and Johnny Damon as possible DH candidates and Eric Chavez as a reserve. They appear to be leaning toward Ibanez for the DH role, though Damon and Hideki Matsui, two former Yankees stars, also have been under consideration. In"
Source: Yanks gauge teams' interest in A.J.
February 10
New York Post
 
"The Yankees still haven't given up on getting rid of A.J. Burnett. According to an industry source, the Yankees continue to have "conversations with several clubs" about trading the right-hander. Though the Pirates have been among the teams to show the most interest, they reportedly shot down the Yankees' request for outfielder Garrett Jones to be included in a deal, according to an ESPN.com report. Discussions between the clubs began at the Winter Meetings in December, with the Pirates and Royals among the teams most actively looking into acquiring Burnett."
Could Pirates land A.J.?
February 8
Foxsports.com
 
"Hear ye, hear ye: The Pittsburgh Pirates are one team that actually might want to trade for New York Yankees right-hander A.J. Burnett. The Pirates clearly want another starting pitcher — they made one-year and three-year offers to Edwin Jackson before the free-agent right-hander signed with the Washington Nationals last week. The Pirates also have spoken with the Yankees about Burnett, though those conversations failed to progress and perhaps qualified only as due diligence, major-league sources said. Burnett, 35, wants to stay with the Yankees and be their fifth starter, according to a source with knowledge of his thinking. But the Yankees have spent the entire offseason trying to move"
Yankees trying to trade A.J. Burnett
December 8
New York Post
 
"The Yankees have inserted A.J. Burnett into the trade market at the Winter Meetings, The Post has learned. According to multiple teams, the Yankees have let it be known they will listen to offers for Burnett and are willing to pay $8 million of the $33 million Burnett is owed over the next two seasons. "We will listen on anybody,'' GM Brian Cashman said without getting specific. Even with the Yankees swallowing about a quarter of Burnett's contract, they haven't gotten a nibble. First, Burnett, who will be 35 in January, would still be owed $12.5 million this coming season and next. Secondly, Burnett hasn't pitched well (21-26) the past two seasons and has suffered a dip in velocity."
Yankees pitch A.J.
December 7
New York Post
 
"The Yankees have inserted A.J. Burnett into the trade market at the Winter Meetings, The Post has learned. According to multiple teams, the Yankees have let it be known they will listen to offers for Burnett and are willing to pay $8 million of the $33 million Burnett is owed over the next two seasons. "We will listen on anybody,'' GM Brian Cashman said without getting specific. Even with the Yankees swallowing about a quarter of Burnett's contract, they haven't gotten a nibble. First, Burnett, who will be 35 in January, would still be owed $12.5 million this coming season and next. Secondly, Burnett hasn't pitched well (21-26) the past two seasons and has suffered a dip in velocity."
Yankees GM Brian Cashman says A.J. Burnett is in team's plans for next season
November 3
New York Daily News
 
"Brian Cashman typically chooses his words very carefully. Tuesday, that wasn't the case. During a conference call to announce his own new contract, Cashman began an answer about A.J. Burnett by saying, "If he's with us, he's in the rotation." While some interpreted that as a sign that Cashman was planning to deal the enigmatic righthander this winter, the general manager clarified himself Wednesday, saying that wasn't the case at all. "I guess it was a bad choice of words," Cashman said. "My intention wasn't to imply that we were looking to trade him. I tried to explain that for everybody that doesn't have a full no-trade, I'm willing to be open-minded, listen and try to be creative. I'm"
Yankees GM says A.J. stays in rotation, 'if he's with us'
November 3
New York Post
 
"Just because the Yankees locked up CC Sabathia for at least another five years doesn't mean they are done putting together next year's rotation. That includes Brian Cashman admitting he would consider moving A.J. Burnett. Asked about Burnett's role next season during a conference call to announce the GM's new three-year contract, Cashman said, "If he's with us, without a doubt he's in the rotation." Finding any takers for the right-hander -- who will be 35 in January, has two years and $33 million remaining on a contract that also contains a partial no-trade clause -- is much easier said than done."
A.J. must build on strong finish
October 9
New York Post
 
"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.""
Every Yankees pitcher, from CC Sabathia to Rivera, maybe even A.J, ready for Game 5
October 6
New York Daily News
 
"It will be all hands on deck, or to be more accurate, a call to arms for the Yankees Thursday night in their win-or-go-home Game 5 of the American League division series as Joe Girardi proclaimed every pitcher, with the possible exception of A.J. Burnett, could be called upon Thursday night. And while Yankees fans may have not seen the last of CC Sabathia this series, the same can't be said of Tigers ace Justin Verlander, who Detroit manager Jim Leyland said will definitely not see action Thursday night. "Have your spikes on and be ready to go," Girardi said of his pitching mind-set for Game 5. "That's the bottom line.""
A.J. Burnett solid as Yankees top Tigers 10-1 in ALDS Game 4
October 5
New York Daily News
 
"Do you believe in miracles? If you didn't before, you probably do now after watching A.J. Burnett lead the Yankees past the Tigers with a 10-1 victory to stave off elimination and push the AL division series to a decisive Game 5. The much-maligned righthander produced the type of performance the Yankees envisioned when they gave him $82.5 million three years ago, holding Detroit to one run over 5-2/3 innings. "A lot of guys were talking before the game about how we expected a big game from A.J.," Alex Rodriguez said. "He delivered.""
Burnett, Grandy's glove keep Yanks alive
October 5
New York Post
 
"A.J. Burnett picked a wonderful time to get the biggest win of his three-year Yankee career. And he has Curtis Granderson to thank for it. Burnett, the accidental starter in last night's Game 4 of the ALDS, escaped a bases-loaded, two-out jam in the first inning when Granderson made a leaping catch of Don Kelly's drive over the center-fielder's head that negated three walks in the frame. Buoyed by the first of two sensational catches by Granderson, Burnett hurled the Yankees to a 10-1 victory over the Tigers that evened the best-of-five series at 2-2."
After ace flops, here comes joker
October 4
New York Post
 columnist Joel Sherman
"The Yankees need A.J. Burnett to be better than CC Sabathia. In the history of the Yankees, there have been few more discouraging thoughts at this time of year. First because Sabathia — in possibly his last game with the team — pitched poorly enough in Game 3 to even make it a subject. And, second, because now the Yankees' season rests with A.J. Burnett, whom the organization trusts so little it was trying to avoid using him at all in this Division Series. So ignore the cover story the Yankees are offering about their confidence in Burnett. They have as much confidence in him as he has in himself, which is to say not much. Actions will speak louder than false bravado, and tonight Joe"
Burnett after repeat of '09 Series success
October 4
New York Post
 
"A.J. Burnett's approach to tonight's Game 4 of the ALDS won't change after the Yankees were defeated 5-4 in Game 3 last night. "It's going to be important no matter what," he said before the Tigers took a 2-1 lead in the series. Now, the Yankees' season rests on Burnett's right arm, and as squeamish as that may make fans, he wasn't showing any concern. Burnett referenced Game 2 of the 2009 World Series -- a game in which there's no question he was superb. With the Yankees having lost Game 1 to the Phillies, Burnett fired seven innings of one-run ball, evening the series."
A.J. Burnett gets chance to redeem season in potentially decisive Game 4
October 3
Newark Star-Ledger
 
"A.J. Burnett delivered a clutch performance in the biggest start of his life, shutting down the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 2 of the 2009 World Series, after they had defeated CC Sabathia in the opening game. To this day, he still can't fathom pitching in a more difficult situation. But his next start might come close. Yankees manager Joe Girardi announced today that Burnett will start Tuesday's Game 4 of the American League Division Series against the Detroit Tigers. Depending on what happens in Game 3 Monday night, Burnett will take the mound either trying to close out the Tigers, or trying to save the Yankees from elimination."
A.J. Burnett moved to bullpen for ALDS as Freddy Garcia gets Game 3 starting nod
September 29
New York Daily News
 
"With the announcement that Freddy Garcia will be the Yankees' Game 3 starter, A.J. Burnett was used out of the bullpen Wednesday night, where he'll work in the AL division series against the Detroit Tigers. Burnett started the seventh inning for the Yankees, retiring Sean Rodriguez before turning the ball over to Andrew Brackman. "He's going to be in our bullpen," Girardi said. "We just wanted him to get used to it as much as he could.""
A.J. Burnett throws curve into playoff rotation plans
September 26
Newark Star-Ledger
 columnist Dave D'Alessandro
"As Casey Stengel might have said — he said a lot of stuff, so just go with it — there's a befuddling dichotomy to this baseball business, and we hereby nominate A.J. Burnett as today's example of this thesis. If you think back to July, there was no long-term scenario that struck you as promising — not with regard to A.J., not for the Yankees' season at large. Sure, Joe Girardi still had this thing on the tracks, but there seemed to be an inevitable exit awaiting this club in October, for two reasons: There were no lefty arms, which meant the first six guys in the Red Sox's lineup could go 14-for-24 every game, and there was no No. 2 starter."
A.J. Burnett stellar, Jacoby Ellsbury earns Red Sox split with Yankees in Sunday's Bronx twin bill
September 26
New York Daily News
 
"A.J. Burnett and his uneven season has been a skull-splitter for Yankee brass all year. Now, for a change, Burnett is hoping he has given Joe Girardi what the pitcher described as "a good headache." One day after Freddy Garcia had a boffo audition, Burnett was superb Sunday against the desperate Red Sox in the opener of a day-night doubleheader at the Stadium, giving Girardi plenty to think about when the manager constructs the postseason rotation beyond CC Sabathia and Ivan Nova. Before Sunday, Burnett had been winless against Boston as a Yankee, but he was the star of a 6-2 victory in Game 1, allowing only two runs and five hits in 7-2/3 innings. He got a standing ovation from the"
Struggling righty could be favorite for an ALDS start
September 24
New York Post
 
"So what does the highest profile member of the "I'm Behind CC and Nova Club" think of not knowing when or if he will pitch in the upcoming ALDS? "It is what it is," A.J. Burnett said before last night's Red Sox- Yankees game was rained out and rescheduled as part of a double-header to morrow. The first game will be at 1 p.m. and the second at 6:30 p.m. "We all have to be ready for when they make their decision." CC Sabathia will start Game 1 and Ivan Nova, a 24-year-old rookie with 16 wins, is likely to start Game 2. Because manager Joe Girardi is leaning toward a three-man rotation, that means Sabathia would throw Game 4 on three days rest and Nova would get the ball if a deciding Game"
Yankees vs. Twins: A.J. Burnett quickly loses control after fast start in Yankees' 6-4 win
September 20
Newark Star-Ledger
 
"When the game started today, it certainly didn't look like this would be the day where Mariano Rivera got his first crack at saving career game No. 602, and becoming Major League Baseball's all-time saves leader. The Yankees, after all, had jumped out in front quickly against the Minnesota Twins in this make-up at Yankee Stadium, with two runs in the first, one in the second and two more in the third. And A.J. Burnett was dealing. "He was awesome," Yankees catcher Russell Martin said of Burnett. "It felt like it was going to be a shutout, the first three innings.""
Angry A.J. Burnett pleads for fifth after early exit
September 20
New York Post
 
"A.J. Burnett had given up four runs on nine hits in four-plus innings and was getting hit hard in the fifth. Manager Joe Girardi seemed to have little choice but to yank the right-hander — again. But Burnett wasn't thrilled with the hook, thinking he deserved more leeway. "Joe does what he can to get this team a win, and we won," Burnett said after the 6-4 victory over the Twins. "Heaven forbid I give up a couple hits. But you do whatever you can to get your team a 'W,' I guess." When asked if it was disappointing to not get through the fifth despite being staked to a 5-0 lead, Burnett said: "I didn't get through the fifth because I wasn't allowed to get through the fifth. So it wasn't"
Yankees starter A.J. Burnett records quality start after making sudden change
September 14
Newark Star-Ledger
 
"At one point last night, A.J. Burnett looked so uncomfortable during his team's 3-2 victory against the Mariners that Yankees manager Joe Girardi and a team trainer visited the mound, just to make sure that the pitcher wasn't injured. Turns out he wasn't hurt, though he wasn't happy either. Since making a change to his pitching mechanics a few weeks back, Burnett (10-11, 5.20 ERA) has struggled to shed his old delivery, one that he has used his entire career. In the third inning, he couldn't take it anymore. Said Burnett: "I just really didn't get loose that inning.""
Burnett out of play in pen
September 11
New York Post
 
"If the Yankees need bullpen help today against the Angels, it won't come from A.J. Burnett. In preparation for a start Tuesday in Seattle, Burnett went through a full in-between start bullpen yesterday afternoon, so he isn't available for relief work today. That means Phil Hughes could get the call. Like most pitchers, Burnett isn't a big fan of working in a six-man rotation, which adds an extra day of rest in between starts. Nevertheless, he isn't about to rail against the setup manager Joe Girardi is using, and may use until the end of the regular season."
A.J. Burnett knows Girardi will stay with 6-man starting rotation, prefers regular rest
September 8
New York Daily News
 
"A.J. Burnett's start Wednesday offered no clarity on what's next for the Yankees' six-man rotation, and Joe Girardi is leaving it open-ended. Girardi said the six-pack has "worked pretty well for us. It seems to keep our guys pretty fresh, too. We'll decide what we're going to do. I'm not going to commit one way or another." Burnett, who allowed four runs and seven hits in six innings and was hurt by raggedy Yankee fielding, said of his outing: "I feel like I've made progress, but it's only two starts. You have to find a way to grind and I've done that, but you have to take it to another level." Burnett says he won't use as an excuse the extra rest that a six-man rotation brings. "I'm not"
Mark Reynolds drives in game-winning run as Orioles top Yankees 5-4 in 11 innings
September 8
New York Daily News
 
"It was hard to tell what was sloppiest at Yankee Stadium Wednesday: the weather, the field or the quality of play. The Yankees matched a season-high with four errors, including a crucial miscue that set up the game-winning run in the Orioles' 5-4, 11-inning victory. Eduardo Nuñez's misplay on a hard grounder in the 11th inning - his second error of the day - set up Mark Reynolds' game-winning single against Hector Noesi, the Orioles' lone hit in 14 at-bats with runners in scoring position. "He just didn't make the play," Joe Girardi said of Nuñez's pivotal gaffe. "We gave them a lot of their runs today; that's why we lost this game. We didn't catch a pop-up, didn't turn a double play, had"
A.J. Burnett hopes new pitching motion will yield more success
September 7
Newark Star-Ledger
 
"Before his previous start, A.J. Burnett scrambled to undo 13 years' worth of muscle memory. At the behest of pitching coach Larry Rothschild, the Yankees right-hander changed a major part of his pitching motion, one he has grooved since his earliest days as a pro. The radical moves led to clear signs of progress for Burnett, whose performance against the Boston Red Sox last Thursday was enough to sway the Yankees, who now want to see what he can do with more time on his new mechanics. Burnett, who allowed two runs in 5 2/3 innings last week, is anxious to find out himself. He is scheduled to start Wednesday against the Baltimore Orioles. "There's no more fixing, no more changing," said"
Joe Girardi sticking with six Yankees starters for now; A.J. Burnett, Phil Hughes get another start
September 5
New York Daily News
 
"Ah, the joy of six. The Yankees just can't get enough of it. The Bombers once again have canceled plans to move one of their six starting pitchers to the bullpen; they will continue to go with a six-man rotation indefinitely. Joe Girardi believes that Phil Hughes and A.J. Burnett - the two top candidates for relief duty - improved enough during the past week to merit another start. And he apparently hasn't soured on Bartolo Colon , who is 0-3 with a 5.68 ERA in his last four outings. "Guys made some progress when we went to Boston and ... there's no rush to make this decision," Girardi said. "We said let's go through it again and see what happens. Let's see if the progress"
A.J. Burnett, Russell Martin lift Yankees to 4-2 win
September 2
Newark Star-Ledger
 
"The conversation began about a week ago. Yankees pitching coach Larry Rothschild figured it had to happen eventually, but the opening only came after A.J. Burnett took his latest shelling, leaving the right-hander in a fight for his own job. To Rothschild, the conditions were just right to propose a change. "There's moments that are coachable and there's moments that aren't," Rothschild said tonight. "He had struggled and he was frustrated, and (wanted) something to hang onto, to run with. Hopefully, we just progress with it.""
Russell Martin hit, Curtis Granderson catch help Yankees take series from Red Sox; Burnett not bad
September 2
New York Daily News
 
"Has a team ever been more excited about its starting pitcher taking a no-decision? A.J. Burnett gave the Yankees a solid performance against the Red Sox, allowing the Bombers to pull out a 4-2 come-from-behind win at Fenway Park last night. The Yankees took two of three this week, marking their first series win in five tries this season against the Red Sox. "Coming into their place and taking two games," Nick Swisher said, "that's a big deal." The Yankees won for only the fourth time in 15 games against the Red Sox this season, yet the two clubs are tied in the loss column, separated by only a half-game in the American League East with less than four weeks to play in the regular season."
What they're saying: A.J.'s big night
September 2
New York Daily News
 
"It's not often that a 5 1/3-inning no-decision is the biggest story of the night, especially when it's a four-hour, 21-minute Yankees-Red Sox marathon. We could go on about Curtis Granderson's catch, Nick Swisher's self-admitted ridiculous bunt, Mariano Rivera's near-implosion, Andruw Jones' 14-pitch at-bat, Russell Martin's huge hit, Jesus Montero's debut or a slew of other things, but at the end of the day, Thursday night's game was all about A.J. Burnett. Burnett threw 5 1/3 innings, allowing two runs on five hits and two walks, striking out four. Hardly the stuff Cy Youngs are made of, but given the atrocious stuff we've seen from him over the past two months, it looked pretty darn"
Yankees' A.J. Burnett must adjust with his job on the line
September 1
Newark Star-Ledger
 
"He has all the telltale signs of a pitcher who once overwhelmed his opponents. He has the colorful tattoos, the flippant demeanor, the temper. He has his own vocabulary, where pitchers' mounds are "bumps," and curve balls are "hooks," where pitches thrown out of frustration are "mad balls." When he was young, before age forced him to compromise, A.J. Burnett had the fastball. He doesn't anymore. And for all the hand-wringing about Burnett and his psychological state, perhaps this is the only real explanation for the situation he now faces. When Burnett takes the mound Thursday for the Yankees against the Red Sox, it will be to save his job as a starting pitcher with the Yankees. "It is at"
Girardi fends off barrage of opinions, questions day-to-day on Burnett's poor performance
August 30
New York Daily News
 columnist Bob Raissman
"The headline writers had a field day using hurricane analogies ("Natural Disaster" was the way the Daily News back page put it Saturday) after A.J. Burnett imploded - again - in a 12-5 loss to the Orioles Friday night in Baltimore. Along with any ill wind, having more velocity than a Burnett fastball, or sheets of rain, better located than A.J.'s curve, there is collateral damage. Joe Girardi is bearing the brunt of it. Unfortunately for the Yankees manager, no one - not even Generalissimo Brian Cashman - will deliver a mandatory evacuation order. In the dugout, the Yankees Entertainment & Sports Network's cameras follow Girardi's every move after Burnett is taken deep. Worse still,"
Yankees' A.J. Burnett continues to struggle, but Joe Girardi says he will stay in starting rotation
August 28
New York Daily News
 
"Has Brian Cashman misplaced his objective pipe? The Yankees general manager was a man of few words when asked about A.J. Burnett's latest debacle, a possible sign that the Bombers are finally losing patience with the enigmatic righthander. "He was very bad," Cashman said Saturday when reached by telephone. Joe Girardi indicated Friday night that he was not prepared to take Burnett out of the rotation, citing the Yankees' upcoming schedule. "With all these doubleheaders, we've got to play games," Girardi said. "We need six men.""
Yankees fans have GM Brian Cashman to blame for giving them A.J. Burnett and his terrible struggles
August 28
New York Daily News
 columnist Mike Lupica
"This was after Game 6 of the last American League Championship Series, in the visitors' clubhouse in Arlington, the Yankees having just been out-pitched by Colby Lewis on the night the Rangers won the pennant. Brian Cashman stood surrounded by reporters and stated the obvious, in the immediate aftermath of a six-game series win for the Rangers that felt more like a sweep. "It's pitching," Cashman said. "It's always pitching." The Yankees had come into the series with CC Sabathia and Andy Pettitte and Phil Hughes (in a breakout year) and A.J. Burnett, who actually would end up pitching better in his shot at the Rangers than he does against anybody else right now. The Rangers still threw"
A.J. isn't Yankees' only concern
August 28
New York Post
 
"While the Yankees remained steamed at the Orioles' refusal to play two games Friday night and had nothing to do yesterday but wait for Hurricane Irene's arrival at the Inner Harbor, there are signs there are pitching problems beyond A.J. Burnett. Of course, Burnett is the primary concern after he was shelled for the second straight game in Friday night's 12-5 loss to the lowly Orioles at Camden Yards. Yet, in the four games prior to yesterday's forced day off, Burnett wasn't the only starter to pitch poorly."
After latest washout, Burnett likely bound for Yankees' bullpen
August 27
New York Post
 
"At her angriest, Hurricane Irene will resemble a summer squall compared to the destruction A.J. Burnett administered last night to his chances of sticking in the Yankees' rotation whenever it's sliced from six to five. As much as the Yankees' brass was hoping their large investment could bounce back last night against the woeful Orioles at Camden Yards, even the decision makers have to agree with a talent evaluator who witnessed Burnett's second straight brutal outing. "There is nothing there to work with," the scout said in the middle of Burnett's disastrous five-inning outing that resulted in a 12-5 loss that was witnessed by 32,762. "Nothing. No location. He won't pitch inside. No"
Yankees' A.J. Burnett deserves a few more starts to prove himself
August 26
Newark Star-Ledger
 
"If I've learned anything in analyzing and assessing the Yankees this season, it would be that it's best to avoid knee-jerk decisions. Trust me on this one. At various points this season, I've moved a struggling perennial All-Star into the eight-hole, bumped a young starting pitcher who won 18 games a year ago into the bullpen, and held a retirement ceremony for an aging designated hitter. Moving forward, note to self: Wait and see how things play out. Take Thursday. With the Yankees falling six runs behind the Oakland Athletics in the third inning and looking very much like a team that was going to be swept by one of the American League's least recognizable lineups, as much as I wanted"
Burnett making first start since disastrous Twins outing
August 26
New York Post
 
"A.J. Burnett makes his first start tonight since blowing up for seven runs in just 1 2/3 innings against the Twins -- and then barking in the direction of manager Joe Girardi as he walked off the mound. Both Girardi and Burnett downplayed the incident afterwards, saying the right-hander was angry because he thought his final pitch to Joe Mauer should have been called a strike. As much as Girardi and GM Brian Cashman have defended Burnett, he still wants to get some results if he wants to stay in the rotation in September, let alone October. "We need him to pitch well," Girardi said. "It's a big start. We're trying to determine how to . . . get down to a five-man rotation. God knows if"
Girardi demonstrates acting ability, feigns surprise when asked about A.J. Burnett mound meeting
August 23
New York Daily News
 columnist Bob Raissman
"Near the end of Sunday's "The Joe Girardi Show" - only on YES - the Yankees manager told co-host Michael Kay: "I'm not a guy who sits around and laughs all the time." His words suggest Girardi is no comedian. Acting? Now that's a different story. Saturday night, the Yankees Entertainment & Sports Network voices were discussing A.J. Burnett's obscene snit fit directed at Girardi after the manager exiled him from the mound in the second inning against Minnesota. Kay said the loosely wrapped righty was in deep. "Well, not even Perry Mason could defend A.J. tonight," Kay said. Oh really? Even Raymond Burr, who played the famous TV lawyer, would have trouble turning in the remarkable"
GM Brian Cashman reiterates A.J. Burnett's contract won't be a factor in rotation decision
August 23
New York Daily News
 
"Brian Cashman still believes that A.J. Burnett can help the Yankees, but that doesn't mean his job is secure beyond this week. The GM acknowledged that Burnett is in the middle of "a bad stretch" of pitching, but like Joe Girardi, he's not prepared to make any decisions about the starting rotation before he's forced to do so. "Right now, he's not pitching well," Cashman said Monday. "He's going to get another turn until we say otherwise. We have six starting pitchers for five spots, which is a good thing right now. That will change at some point here soon." Following Saturday's doubleheader in Baltimore, the Yankees are planning to reduce the rotation from six to five. Burnett, who pitches"
Yankees should stop chastising media for Burnett criticism and demote him to bullpen
August 23
New York Daily News
 columnist Bill Madden
"One supposes Brian Cashman and Joe Girardi have their motives for shooting the messenger when it comes to the continuing trials and tribulations of A.J. Burnett. In Cashman's case, the Yankee GM undoubtedly feels compelled to defend Burnett, for in doing so he defends the $82.5 million contract he bestowed on the maddeningly inconsistent righthander - a contract that has two more years and $33 million remaining on it and will be even harder to unload if Burnett is a non-starter the rest of this year. What is puzzling, however, is that Cashman appears to have been making the case for Burnett to remain in the Yankee rotation - very possibly at the expense of one of his two homegrown"
Yankees GM says Burnett having his 'typical terrible August'
August 23
New York Post
 
"Joe Girardi may be the only one left supporting A.J. Burnett. The Yankees manager has remained supportive of the struggling pitcher, but GM Brian Cashman was more critical of Burnett in an ESPN.com interview on Monday. "We have six guys who can pitch in a pennant race, period," Cashman told the website. "A.J Burnett is having his typical terrible August. For whatever reason, he can't pitch in August, I don't know why. It is what it is. August is obviously not an effective month for him." Burnett's turn toward "terrible" actually started a month early this year. He went 0-3 with a 4.83 ERA last month, but that seems like Cy Young compared to August, when his ERA ballooned to 10.70. On Aug."
A.J. Burnett spot in question
August 22
ESPN.com
 
"With A.J. Burnett having his "typical terrible August," Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said that the pitcher's five-year, $82.5 million contract will not prevent him from being dropped from the rotation. "No, money is never going to be a factor," Cashman told ESPNewYork.com. Cashman reiterated his staunch defense of Burnett from a little more than a week ago. However, a week from now, barring injury, the Yankees will have to make a decision about paring their rotation from six pitchers to five, and Burnett is on the bubble. "We have six guys who can pitch in a pennant race, period," Cashman said. "A.J Burnett is having his typical terrible August. For whatever reason, he can't"
Girardi focused on Burnett's control, not his attitude
August 22
Toronto Star
 
"New York Yankees manager Joe Girardi said he is far more concerned with getting embattled starter A.J. Burnett to control his fastball than he is with getting him to control his emotions. Girardi defended Burnett on Sunday morning, hours after television cameras caught the right-hander cursing as he left the mound in the second inning of a 9-4 loss to the Minnesota Twins on Saturday night. "A.J.'s not as good at controlling his emotions as some other people," Girardi said on Sunday before the series finale against the Twins. "He's going to wear them on his sleeve. I don't have a problem with it. Everyone else does. I don't." When Burnett was yanked on Saturday, he turned and could be seen"
A.J. Burnett not a lock to remain in New York Yankees rotation
August 22
New York Daily News
 
"Is A.J. Burnett's job finally in jeopardy? The Yankees will trim their staff from six starting pitchers to five next week, and while many believe that Burnett's bloated $82.5 million contract will be the determining factor that keeps the righthander in the rotation, Joe Girardi insists that won't play a part in the decision. "There are no locks," Girardi said Sunday of Burnett, who lasted only 1-2/3 innings Saturday against the Twins before storming off the mound while shouting profanities. "You've got to pitch. You've got to perform. It's been a game that's based on performance. You've got to perform." Asked specifically about Burnett's contract and the perception that he's getting a free"
Girardi backs Burnett in wake of mound spew
August 22
New York Post
 
"Joe Girardi continued to insist yesterday with an edge in his voice that A.J. Burnett's vulgar comment leaving the mound Saturday night wasn't directed at him. However, when it comes to Burnett's spot in the starting rotation, which will be shaved from six to five a week from tonight, Girardi said Burnett's veteran status and $16.5 million salary mean nothing. "He needs to pitch better, plain and simple," Girardi said of the struggling right-hander, who surrendered seven runs in 1 2/3 innings Saturday night in a 9-4 loss to the Twins. "We are in a six-man rotation until after Baltimore. There are no locks. You have to perform. We need to have him bounce back." Burnett's next outing is"
A.J. Burnett pulled in second inning of 9-4 loss
August 21
Newark Star-Ledger
 
"With sweat pooling on his neck and forehead, his latest outing already spinning out of control, the words came tumbling from the mouth of A.J. Burnett. Furious at being pulled in the second inning tonight, Burnett handed the baseball to Yankees manager Joe Girardi, then muttered a string of expletives. At first, Burnett said Girardi believed the words were directed at him, though the pitcher said the two had hashed things out later as the Minnesota Twins were putting the finishing touches on a 9-4 victory. But Girardi took on a more defensive tone following the game, frustrated by the perception that he and the pitcher have a developing rift. "Me and A.J. have mutual respect for each"
Tired act from buffoonish righty
August 21
New York Post
 columnist Mike Vaccaro
"See, the thing that aggravates you about A.J. Burnett isn't just that he's a relentlessly underachieving mess so much of the time. It isn't just that he's stubborn, and bullheaded, and oblivious to coaching and counsel, something he's proven time and again all across his maddeningly mediocre career. There's also this: There's the image of manager Joe Girardi walking solemnly to the mound last night, bottom of the second inning, a sold-out crowd at Target Field booing that trek because in a lost season they would love to see their nine keep taking batting practice against Burnett. There's Girardi holding out his hand, demanding the ball. Any pitcher with any kind of self-awareness would"