Philly Sports Jabronis
By Todd Zolecki, Phillies.com
PHILADELPHIA — The Phillies need starting pitching, but A.J. Burnett did them a huge favor Monday.
The team announced Burnett declined his $12.75 million player option, which makes him a free agent. Burnett, who signed a one-year, $16 million deal with mutual and player options in February, went 8-18 with a 4.59 ERA in 34 starts, pitching with an inguinal hernia most of the season. He led Major League Baseball in losses, earned runs allowed (109) and walks (96).
Burnett received a $1 million buyout from the Phillies for declining their half of a mutual option.
“It’s obviously a frustrating year,” Burnett said after his final start of the season last month. “You come over here and you expect to make an impact. And you make the wrong impact.”
The Phillies are in rebuilding mode, so they hoped they would not have to pay Burnett a hefty sum to pitch for a team that does not expect to contend until 2017, at the earliest. The Phillies can allocate Burnett’s 2015 salary elsewhere, if they choose.
The team lacks starting-pitching depth, but if they sign a pitcher on the free-agent market, it is expected to be on a short-term deal.
The Phillies are not expected to make a big splash in the free-agent market this offseason, unless they sign Cuban outfielder Yasmany Tomas. If they pass on Tomas, perhaps they will feel more comfortable eating some of the salaries they owe other players still on the roster.
The Phillies are willing to trade almost anybody this offseason. The biggest name is Cole Hamels, but the list includes Ryan Howard, Jonathan Papelbon, Marlon Byrd, Antonio Bastardo and Carlos Ruiz. The front office would trade Chase Utley and Jimmy Rollins, too. Utley and Rollins have complete no-trade clauses and both have said they have no plans to waive them, but the prospect of playing on a losing team in the twilight of their careers could get them to reconisder.
During the season, Burnett waffled on whether he wanted to pitch next year. But he does want to pitch. He just does not want to pitch for the Phillies. His agent told FOX Sports that Burnett intends to pitch for a contender in 2015.
Burnett expressed his frustration toward Phillies pitching coach Bob McClure during his final start, uttering an expletive following a mound visit. Burnett said afterward his relationship with McClure was fine, but sources in the clubhouse said Burnett was not happy with the way things went in Philly.
Two parties got what they wanted Monday. The Phillies got financial flexibility. Burnett got the ability to pitch for a winner, if he wishes to continue his career.
