Pitcher A.J. Burnett and the Philadelphia Phillies reached a one-year, $16 million deal on Wednesday.
Burnett, 37, was with the Pittsburgh Pirates the last two seasons. Last year he was 10-11 with a 3.30 ERA and team high 209 strikeouts in a team high 191 innings, according to ESPN. Burnett said in October that he would return to the Pirates this year as a free agent or retire. He decided in late January that he wanted to pitch this year.
Two other teams had expressed interest in Burnett along with the Phillies. The Pirates wanted Burnett to stay and the Baltimore Orioles also had expressed interest in Burnett. Burnett will join Cole Hamels, Cliff Lee, and Kyle Kendrick in the Phillies rotation. Hamels won’t be ready for Opening Day due to left biceps tendinitis. When Hamels is healthy, the Phillies will have a formidable pitching rotation.
In 15 seasons Burnett has played for the Pirates, New York Yankees, Florida Marlins, and the Toronto Blue Jays. He is 147-132 with a 3.99 ERA in those 15 seasons, according to the Associated Press. He helped the Yankees win the World Series in 2009 against the Phillies, winning game two of that series.
Burnett is a good addition to the Phillies as he will add depth to their bullpen. It will be interesting to see how he does with the Phillies.