Believing In Burnout

Following a disastrous 2008 season marred with injury, underperforming, and old, backup quality players in starting roles, the Yankees broke the bank, signing SP CC Sabathia, 1B Mark Teixeira, and SP AJ Burnett.

CC went 19-8; Tex hit .292 with 39 homers and 122 RBIs; and Burnett went 13-9 with a 4.04 ERA.

Since then, Sabathia has been the Yankees ace, Teixeira has been a gold glove winner and very fine first baseman (despite his lack of postseason hitting).

Burnett has been an overrated Kevin Brown.

Brown was washed up by the time he came. Burnett, though not finished, was signed to beat the Red Sox, and thus far has one ONE AND ONLY ONE game against them (the victory coming this past season).

Granted, it is not all his fault. His performance against the Red Sox back in April was fairly solid, as were most of his starts this past season, but with little run support combined with the dreaded "bad inning", well, you know what happens next.

Let's not forget that although we are likely stuck with him for another two seasons, he did win a World Series game, and was the first, and thusfar the only Yankee to strike out four batters in an inning.



I know he can turn it around, he is a player who wants to win, and everyone on the team wants him to win. While he may be a goner after his deal is up, he can be an ace when on top of his game.