Hey, @wudeydo34! #WelcomeBackAJ pic.twitter.com/hjgrhTligO
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) November 14, 2014
Former Phillies pitcher A.J. Burnett seemed to be headed back to the Phillies heading into the offseason. With a player option for $12.75 million, why would he go anywhere else? Burnett rejected a return to the Phillies, much to the surprise of many; he simply did not want to end his career with a rebuilding club. So, Burnett has agreed to sign with a contender.
Jon Heyman of CBS Sports broke the news:
aj burnett signs back with pirates
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) November 14, 2014
He was also first with the dollar amount:
burnett gets $8.5M from pirates
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) November 14, 2014
It appears that Burnett had his heart set on going back to the Pirates, no matter what.
Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports reports that Burnett negotiated with no one else:
Burnett’s agent, Darek Braunecker, on deal with #Pirates: “Not often a player has such an affinity for a team, teammates, city and fan base”
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) November 14, 2014
Braunecker said he did not negotiate with any other club, per Burnett’s instructions. Burnett only wanted to play for #Pirates.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) November 14, 2014
Burnett gladly took $4.25 less to return to the Pirates.
Burnett was offended last offseason when the Pirates did not extend a qualifying offer of north of $14 million and settled with the Phillies for one year plus the vesting option. During the season the Phillies and Pirates reportedly considered a trade that would send Burnett back to his former club, but the Pirates reportedly were scared of Burnett earning $12.75 million this season.
The move probably means that the Pirates are out on their outgoing starter Francisco Liriano.
