Pittsburgh Pirates Land A.J. Burnett in Salary Dump Trade with Yankees

The A.J. Burnett trade to the Pirates has been completed

It took three years,

but A.J. Burnett won’t be pulling on the New York Yankees pinstripes any longer. The Yankees have agreed to trade their right-hander to the Pittsburgh Pirates for prospects Exicardo Cayones and Diego Moreno.

The Pirates will cough up $13 million of the $31.9 million left on Burnett’s contract, which breaks down into $5 million in 2012 and $8 million in 2013.  Because the deal involves cash, Bud Selig must first give his approval.

About thirty people were in on breaking the story, we credit Dejan as he was on top of the deal from the beginning.

Burnett helped the Yankees become World Champions in 2009, and then went flat his final two years in the Bronx.  In spite of not living up to the deal, he still took the ball every fifth day and over his Yankee career the hard thrower made 98 starts.  Looking back, Burnett’s durability was in question when he signed the huge contract, we find it funny that when you look over his time with the Yankees that’s the one positive sign a fan can point too.

Burnett is 35 years old.  Some have called him the Buccos opening day starter against the Phillies.  We’re not quite ready for that just yet, but we are ready for baseball season.  A.J. Burnett will help the Pirates in a big way this season and next.  Double digit wins and we can easily see 200 plus innings for the right hander.  Many thought the Pirates wouldn’t get this deal done.  Kuddos to them for landing their man, avoiding outbidding themselves, and stepping to the plate with the necessary cash.  Damn, we can smell the beer and hot dogs now.

We have a feeling AJ Burnett is pretty happy today