Burnett another Red Sox-Yankees battle?
Count the Red Sox as the latest team that appears primed to make a strong push for A.J. Burnett, the ultra-talented righty.
Reports have surfaced in both the New York Daily News and Foxsports.com that the Red Sox are in the mix for Burnett, who led the American League in strikeouts in 2008 while pitching for the Blue Jays.
The Yankees, according to recent reports, are set to offer Burnett a five-year deal worth $80 million. It isn't known if the Red Sox have made a formal offer to Burnett, as general manager Theo Epstein never tips his hand publicly on free agent negotiations. But, according to the Daily News, the Sox have spoken with Darek Braunecker, who represents Burnett.
New York is heavily into the sweepstakes for ace lefty C.C. Sabathia, offering him as much as $140 million over six years, but the Red Sox don't appear to be in that race. Derek Lowe, who pitched for the Red Sox from 1997-2004, is another pitcher the rivals might battle over.
-- Ian Browne
Reports have surfaced in both the New York Daily News and Foxsports.com that the Red Sox are in the mix for Burnett, who led the American League in strikeouts in 2008 while pitching for the Blue Jays.
The Yankees, according to recent reports, are set to offer Burnett a five-year deal worth $80 million. It isn't known if the Red Sox have made a formal offer to Burnett, as general manager Theo Epstein never tips his hand publicly on free agent negotiations. But, according to the Daily News, the Sox have spoken with Darek Braunecker, who represents Burnett.
New York is heavily into the sweepstakes for ace lefty C.C. Sabathia, offering him as much as $140 million over six years, but the Red Sox don't appear to be in that race. Derek Lowe, who pitched for the Red Sox from 1997-2004, is another pitcher the rivals might battle over.
-- Ian Browne
We're already stuck with hoping JD can put his tendency for fragility in the past. We don't need the equivalent penciled into the rotation for four years. This is a high stakes crapshoot with well documented red flags waving all around the flashing neon lights advertising AJ's upside.
I don't consider making major signings with the side agenda of blocking the Yankees' plans a wise consideration. They can afford to throw money away. We have to be sensible with it. Confining hot stove strategy to the Sox' needs, DLowe makes infinitely more sense. He's durable rather than delicate.
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