The Philadelphia Phillies got a break on Monday when A.J. Burnett declined his $12.75 million option for 2015, making him a free agent. Yes, the Phillies have one more rotation spot to fill, but they save eight figures by not paying a guy who had a 4.59 ERA in 213 2/3 innings last season.
But Burnett’s career isn’t over yet. After flirting with retirement last season, he’s dead-set on pitching in 2015. Just not for a bad team, of course.
A.J. Burnett’s agent, Darek Braunecker: “We do expect that he will pitch in ’15. For a contender.”
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) November 4, 2014
Ouch. His market will be interesting to watch. Burnett will turn 38 before Opening Day, but has thrown at least 185 innings and made 30 starts in seven straight seasons. Sure, his ERA was north of 4.50 in three of those years, but you can do a lot worse. Maybe the Pirates will revisit him if both Francisco Liriano and Edinson Volquez walk.
