Yankees shopping A.J. Burnett?
The New York Yankees are quietly shopping starting pitcher A.J. Burnett to free up cap space for the 2012 season, according to the New York Post.
The Yankees are searching to fill one final roster spot for 2012, the designated hitter. They are reportedly deciding between Johnny Damon, Raul Ibanez and Hideki Matsui, or re-signing Eric Chavez who played in only 58 games last season due to injury.
The Post suggests that the Yankees intend to re-sign Chavez as well as add an additional option at the DH position. If they are to accomplish this they will need more money than the estimated $2 million available on the cap. Enter A.J. Burnett.
Burnett, who signed a five-year $82.5 million contract in 2008, is still owed $33 million over the next two seasons. Realistically there are not many teams who want a $16.5 million per year pitcher who posted a 5.15 ERA last season, but that is why the Yankees are willing to pay a fraction of Burnett's contract to any team that would acquire him.
With seven starting pitchers currently in line for 2012 (Burnett, Phil Hughes, CC Sabathia, Michael Pineda, Ivan Nova, Freddy Garcia and Hiroki Kuroda) something has to give.
