According to major-league sources, Burnett, who was 12-12 and had a 3.44 earned-run average with the Florida Marlins last season, will receive $7-million next season, including a signing bonus, and will be paid $12-million for the next four years of the deal. The contract is pending a physical examination, which Burnett is scheduled to undergo today in Tampa.
Allan James ('A.J.') Burnett was born on January 3rd in 1977. He was drafted by the New York Mets in the 9th round of the 1995 draft out of Central Arkansas Christian High School.
Burnett spent his first three years in the lower levels of the Mets' system. He showed signs of dominance with 157 strikeouts and 94 hits allowed in 147 innings pitched. However, control was an issue as Burnett allowed 120 walks over that same period.
Following the Marlins' World Series victory in 1997 they had their infamous 'firesale' and traded Al Leiter and Ralph Millard to the Mets for Robert Stratton, Jesus Sanchez and A.J. Burnett.
At age 21 the Marlins sent Burnett to Kane County of the Midwest League and he had a great year with a 1.97 ERA and 186 strikeouts against 45 walks in 119 innings. The following season Burnett was promoted to AA Portland and he struggled a bit there with a 5.52 ERA in 121 innings. Nevertheless, the Marlins were impressed and called Burnett up for 7 starts at the end of the 1999 season and had a 3.48 ERA over 42 innings.
From 2000-2002 Burnett continued to improve, with 2002 being his best season but still had issues with walks which led to several games where he had high pitch counts. In 2002 Burnett had 12 games where he exceeded 120 pitches in a game.
Burnett made just four starts in 2003 before tearing an elbow ligament and needing Tommy John surgery. Burnett returned quickly from surgery joining the Marlins for 19 starts in the 2004 season. 2005 was Burnett's first full season following surgery and he surpassed 200 innings with a 3.45 ERA.
Here are Burnett's career major league stats:
Year IP K/9 BB/9 HR/9 K/BB GB/FB ERA 1999 41.3 7.2 5.4 0.7 1.32 1.78 3.48 2000 83.7 6.1 4.7 0.9 1.30 1.17 4.79 2001 173.3 6.6 4.3 1.0 1.54 1.13 4.05 2002 204.3 8.9 4.0 0.5 2.26 1.10 3.30 2003 23.0 8.2 7.0 0.8 1.17 1.29 4.70 2004 120.0 8.5 2.9 0.7 2.97 1.49 3.68 2005 209.0 8.5 3.4 0.5 2.51 2.42 3.45
The common thought is that it takes a year or two for a pitcher to regain his control following Tommy John surgery. However, with Burnett his walks were lower than they've ever been and his K/BB ratios were higher than they've ever been in 2004 and 2005.
The other interesting item about Burentt since his surgery is that he's turned into a groundball pitcher. Prior to his injury Burnett had a career GB/FB ratio of 1.18:1. Since the injury Burnett's GB/FB ratio is 2.02:1, including 2.42:1 in 2005.
The combination of a high GB/FB ratio and a high strikeout rate is rare. In 2005 there were just 12 pitchers with a GB/FB ratio over 1.75:1 (min 100 innings).
Rk Player Tm G/F K/G BB/G HR/G 1 Webb ARI 3.99 7.0 2.4 0.9 2 Westbrook CLE 3.38 5.1 2.4 0.8 3 Lowe LAN 3.03 6.0 2.3 1.2 4 Mulder STL 2.88 4.9 3.1 0.8 5 Hudson ATL 2.83 5.4 3.1 0.9 6 Halladay TOR 2.82 7.5 1.2 0.8 7 Burnett FLA 2.63 8.7 3.5 0.5 8 Carpenter STL 2.09 8.6 2.1 0.7 9 Lidle PHI 1.95 5.9 1.9 0.9 10 Wright COL 1.95 5.0 4.0 1.1 11 Maddux CHN 1.94 5.6 1.5 1.2 12 Pettitte HOU 1.87 7.5 1.8 0.8And of those 12 pitchers just 5 had a strikeout rate in excess of 6 per 9 innings, with Burnett topping the list:
Rk Last Tm G/F K/G BB/G HR/G 1 Burnett FLA 2.63 8.7 3.5 0.5 2 Carpenter STL 2.09 8.6 2.1 0.7 3 Halladay TOR 2.82 7.5 1.2 0.8 4 Pettitte HOU 1.87 7.5 1.8 0.8 5 Webb ARI 3.99 7.0 2.4 0.9
While Burnett will be moving to the Amercian League, and will no longer get to face the opposing pitcher, he will have the benefit of the Jays superior defense behind him. And with his groundball tendencies he's very likely to be an enthusiastic member of the Orlando Hudson fan club.
With Burnett in the rotation the Jays will have to make a decision with one of their other starters, either moving one to the bullpen or making another trade. There are already strong rumors that Miguel Batista will be moved and it seems that David Bush would be the most likely candidate to move to the pen - remember he was a closer at Wake Forest before the Jays coverted him to a starter in 2003. Of course, Bush (or any other starter) moving to the bullpen creates more of a logjam there so it would be likely that the Jays would almost be forced to trade one pitcher and possibly two pitchers - likely in an effort to improve the lineup.
Regardless, Burnett, the prized free agent starting pitcher of the offseason, bolsters an already strong pitching staff. The Jays will now focus their attention on improving their lineup and have reportedly discussed Lyle Overbay, Brad Wilkerson, and Kevin Mench among others.
Welcome to Toronto, A.J.
