Worth a last round flyer on AJ Burnett?

[flbtank]

half a season of Burnett healthy is worth more than some garbage pitchers whole seasons.

Worth the risk?

[Pogotheostrich]

Even when he does pitch I don't think we will see the same old Burnett for a while. If you can snag him with a real late pick and stash him on your DL then I don't see any harm.

[shortsavage]

AJ is going to be a great $1-$3 guy this season. He should at least offer respectable numbers in the second half of 2004. A former ace who is also a K machine is never a the type that you should completely ignore, even if he has control issues.

And what other legitimate threat can you get for $1-$3? Kaz Ishii, Wayne Franklin, or Kevin Appier strike me as candidates who will float your way for that price.

[KDOGG]

i like ishii alot better than i do burnett so if you can snag him as a late round flier instead i would suggest doing so.

[beej-lo]

i just read that burnet won't be ready until may. he sounds like a good last round pick, however, i would probably drop him if there is a pitcher/hitter who gets off to a hot start. the DL would probably work though.

[bleach168]

From Fanball:

"Pitcher A.J. Burnett's next bullpen session is scheduled for Saturday, but he may postpone the workout after experiencing some stiffness in his right elbow after his previous outing. "We might give him a couple of extra days, just give him some extra time to feel strong," pitching coach Wayne Rosenthal told the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. "Every time he throws, the progression changes. He's been throwing a lot, so we'll kind of back him off a little bit between pens. He threw a 13- or 14-minute pen the other day. We're going to let him build up to the next one." Burnett underwent Tommy John surgery on April 28, 2003 and is hoping to return to the rotation in May."

IMO, he's not even worth a last round pick.

[L0rdB23]

can't hurt u to stash him away

[Gen19]

I wouldn't expect much out of him this year, but if you have an extra roster spot, I dont see anything wrong with stashing him away.

[Guest]

Personally, I would stay far, far away. Too much of an injury risk.

[Guest]

Burnett would make a fine late round sleeper pick......NEXT year.

AJ's a stud whne he is healthy, but I doubt he does a whole lot this year. Year 2 after TJ surgery is when pitchers are at full strength.