Burnett wants to be a Cub. Get him Jim!

[CubsGM]

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/baseball/cubs/1006767,CST-SPT-cubnt15.article

TORONTO -- One day after beating the Cubs in Toronto, Blue Jays pitcher A.J. Burnett liked the idea of a trade to the Cubs so much he might as well have said, ''Please.''

 

''As of right now I'm a Blue Jay, and I'm going to pitch to the best of my ability as long as I'm part of this club,'' he said. ''But if something were to happen and I'd have the opportunity to go to a place where baseball is breakfast, lunch and dinner, that would be awesome.

 

''Right now my focus is with this club, but if something like that were to happen, I'd accept it with open arms.''

 

With six weeks to go before the non-waiver trading deadline, the Cubs' biggest need as they eye October is a veteran starting pitcher, preferably one capable of competing for a top-three spot in a playoff rotation.

[CubbieBum]

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/baseball/cubs/1006767,CST-SPT-cubnt15.article

TORONTO -- One day after beating the Cubs in Toronto, Blue Jays pitcher A.J. Burnett liked the idea of a trade to the Cubs so much he might as well have said, ''Please.''

 

''As of right now I'm a Blue Jay, and I'm going to pitch to the best of my ability as long as I'm part of this club,'' he said. ''But if something were to happen and I'd have the opportunity to go to a place where baseball is breakfast, lunch and dinner, that would be awesome.

 

''Right now my focus is with this club, but if something like that were to happen, I'd accept it with open arms.''

 

With six weeks to go before the non-waiver trading deadline, the Cubs' biggest need as they eye October is a veteran starting pitcher, preferably one capable of competing for a top-three spot in a playoff rotation.

 

sweet, although he's sucking this year and has a career high 12 wins. I would rather go after Harden since they both have severe injury problems but Harden is a much better pitcher when healthy.

[JimSorgi]

[JimSorgi]

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/baseball/cubs/1006767,CST-SPT-cubnt15.article

TORONTO -- One day after beating the Cubs in Toronto, Blue Jays pitcher A.J. Burnett liked the idea of a trade to the Cubs so much he might as well have said, ''Please.''

 

''As of right now I'm a Blue Jay, and I'm going to pitch to the best of my ability as long as I'm part of this club,'' he said. ''But if something were to happen and I'd have the opportunity to go to a place where baseball is breakfast, lunch and dinner, that would be awesome.

 

''Right now my focus is with this club, but if something like that were to happen, I'd accept it with open arms.''

 

With six weeks to go before the non-waiver trading deadline, the Cubs' biggest need as they eye October is a veteran starting pitcher, preferably one capable of competing for a top-three spot in a playoff rotation.

 

sweet, although he's sucking this year and has a career high 12 wins. I would rather go after Harden since they both have severe injury problems but Harden is a much better pitcher when healthy.

Don't ever judge a pitcher by win totals. Burnett isn't nearly as injury prone as Harden.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Burnett is third on my wish list behind Sabathia and Harden. He might be the cheapest to acquire however.

[RedFlash]

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/baseball/cubs/1006767,CST-SPT-cubnt15.article

TORONTO -- One day after beating the Cubs in Toronto, Blue Jays pitcher A.J. Burnett liked the idea of a trade to the Cubs so much he might as well have said, ''Please.''

 

''As of right now I'm a Blue Jay, and I'm going to pitch to the best of my ability as long as I'm part of this club,'' he said. ''But if something were to happen and I'd have the opportunity to go to a place where baseball is breakfast, lunch and dinner, that would be awesome.

 

''Right now my focus is with this club, but if something like that were to happen, I'd accept it with open arms.''

 

With six weeks to go before the non-waiver trading deadline, the Cubs' biggest need as they eye October is a veteran starting pitcher, preferably one capable of competing for a top-three spot in a playoff rotation.

 

sweet, although he's sucking this year and has a career high 12 wins. I would rather go after Harden since they both have severe injury problems but Harden is a much better pitcher when healthy.

 

It don't matter to me, seeing as both are risky gamble, with huge potentials. But seeing as Harden is younger, Beane is prolly going to ask for more then Tor is going to ask for AJ. I am willing to gamble on AJ working with Soto and Rotschild, and returning to the NL will help AJ. I don' tthink you can go wrong with either pitcher, but and you might be right about Harden being a better pitcher when healthy, but he'll cost more then AJ.

 

Let me ask you this: Would you rather have AJ Burnett now (hypothethically speaking), or wait for Harden, who may or may not be available?

[BCVM22]

Wasn't he on Hendry's shopping list in the '05-'06 offseason?

[badnews]

Burnett's got great stuff but you look at his game log and see a lot of mediocrity. 4.90 ERA, 1.51 WHIP... even when he's getting strikeouts he's not really dominating anyone, and the walk totals are pretty high. His away numbers are better though.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

While Burnett doesn't have the best numbers right now, he has posted an ERA+ over 110 for the past four years dating back to 2004. While he has had some injury concerns, he has been a productive starter and at times a dominant starter.

 

I'd prefer Sabathia. Harden would be next. But if Burnett is out there, I'd have no qualms about trading for him.

[CubbieBum]

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/baseball/cubs/1006767,CST-SPT-cubnt15.article

TORONTO -- One day after beating the Cubs in Toronto, Blue Jays pitcher A.J. Burnett liked the idea of a trade to the Cubs so much he might as well have said, ''Please.''

 

''As of right now I'm a Blue Jay, and I'm going to pitch to the best of my ability as long as I'm part of this club,'' he said. ''But if something were to happen and I'd have the opportunity to go to a place where baseball is breakfast, lunch and dinner, that would be awesome.

 

''Right now my focus is with this club, but if something like that were to happen, I'd accept it with open arms.''

 

With six weeks to go before the non-waiver trading deadline, the Cubs' biggest need as they eye October is a veteran starting pitcher, preferably one capable of competing for a top-three spot in a playoff rotation.

 

sweet, although he's sucking this year and has a career high 12 wins. I would rather go after Harden since they both have severe injury problems but Harden is a much better pitcher when healthy.

Don't ever judge a pitcher by win totals. Burnett isn't nearly as injury prone as Harden.

 

 

Oh I don't it (just had a big argument with a friend who thinks win % is the best way to judge a pitcher) just points out how he has never pitched a full season.

 

And no he isn't as injury prone but both do get injured a lot so if I'm trading for a pitcher who is injured a lot I'll take the one who can be a legit ace.

[TruffleShuffle]

Harden is a much better pitcher when healthy.

 

in other words, never

[RynoRules]

Burnett's injury history and bloated contract scare me. I wouldn't bid high for him (Marshall, a position player and another pitching prospect?) and would insist that Toronto assume some of the financial risk. He'd be a great fit if the price were right, however.

 

I'd rather have CC. No guarantee that he would be re-signed, but you can use that to your advantage in negotiating with Shapiro. That said, the Tribe isn't out of this thing so I doubt he is going anywhere.

[Peoriaman]

He is another 5-6 inning pitcher. Good luck to the pen if we get him.

 

Toronto needs hitting and will not give him up for nothing..

[rawaction]

Burnett hasn't had an ERA over 4 since 2001 and that was 4.05, his highest ERA in any season with more than 13 starts. Career .234 BAA, 8.2 K/9, typically keeps the ball on the ground and doesn't give up many HRs. His numbers in May were only a little better than I think you could expect to him from here on out. 3.43 ERA, .228 BAA, near 3-to-1 K/BB ratio. Burnett would be a great pickup. He's a guy that Rothschild could help take that next step. He has all the stuff, just needs to keep his head out of his rear more consistently.

[rawaction]

He is another 5-6 inning pitcher. Good luck to the pen if we get him.

 

Toronto needs hitting and will not give him up for nothing..

 

He averages over 6 IP per start (barely, I admit). He's been under 6 innings 6 times in 14 starts, but has gone into the 8th four times. The other 4 starts are exactly 6. Don't think it's a big problem for a starter to go 6 innings, especially with this bullpen. Or you can think about it this way. Burnett would be replacing Sean Gallagher, who is going 5 1/3 on average in his starts. And has gone 6 innings, just twice in 7 starts.

[RammyFanny]

He could be a great buy low guy. His stuff is still great and he's likely going to return to normal AJ anytime now.

 

I understand he'd still cost alot, but just not as much as if he's going with a sub 3.00 ERA.

[rawaction]

Jays and Cubs don't really look like a great match for trades, though. Could see them being interested in Eric Patterson, but they could use some big time power out of their corner spots, since nobody knows what has happened to Rios' power. Cubs can't really help out there, unless they consider Hoffpauir and Kroeger prospects still. But they probably aren't getting any big time prospects for Burnett anyway. I wonder if they would be interested in Patterson, Marshall, and Ceda. Gives them 2 ML ready guys and a potential power RH arm for the pen, which they could use.

[seanhopper]

Don't forget the Cubs have Rule V selection Randy Wells back in Iowa. He's been doing tremendously well and Toronto would likely take him again in a deal for Burnett. The Cubs would likely need to give up Marshall, unless Toronto believes they can turn Hill around.

[sneakypower]

his numbers have been supressed as he's had to recover from losing his fingernail and was unable to throw his curveball for awhile. it seems he's close to returning to form, and is possibly the best buy low candidate there is.

 

#1 on my wish list

[Outshined_One]

Jays and Cubs don't really look like a great match for trades, though. Could see them being interested in Eric Patterson, but they could use some big time power out of their corner spots, since nobody knows what has happened to Rios' power. Cubs can't really help out there, unless they consider Hoffpauir and Kroeger prospects still. But they probably aren't getting any big time prospects for Burnett anyway. I wonder if they would be interested in Patterson, Marshall, and Ceda. Gives them 2 ML ready guys and a potential power RH arm for the pen, which they could use.

 

Considering Tyler Colvin is supposed to be the next Alex Rios, they might be interested in him. :D

 

AJ Burnett is #2 on my wishlist. I'm worried about his injury history and ability to pitch a full season, but not nearly as much so as Rich Harden (who has only pitched more than 150 IP once in his career). He's got great stuff and would be a buy low opportunity for the Cubs at this point. His contract runs through 2010 ($12m per year in '08, '09, and '10), but Burnett has an opt-out clause after this season (which he is unlikely to exercise). Considering he and Lilly get paid the same amount in '09 and '10, his contract would be fairly palatable.

 

If the Blue Jays are open to trading with the Cubs, I'm hoping Hendry would also kick the tires on Halladay and Ryan, just to see if there'd be any possibility of the Blue Jays parting with either. I really doubt the Blue Jays would be willing to part with either (especially Halladay), but you never know with these things.

[imb]

think they'd be interested in a wilken for burnett swap

[inari]

I'm now literally 100% positive that Burnett is going to be the guy we acquire.

[Jehrico]

Pros and Cons to Burnett:

Pros: Shows the ability to dominate when hot. Good bet to put up above average numbers over the course of an entire season. Figures to be the greatest "bang for the buck" the Cubs could acquire before the deadline, in terms of talent it would take to get him. Cubs can more easily afford to take a gamble on his salary than most other teams that would be interested in him (not sure this is a pro or a con..., but it leads to the bang for the buck). Cubs also probably could pick him up without waiting until the deadline. Normally a good bet for a WHIP under 1.25. Normally keeps the ball down and in the park.

 

Cons: Only pitched over 200 innings once since '02 and twice in his career. Having a below average season thus far, though he figures to improve if he stays healthy. Expensive contract relative to expected performance even if he does stay healthy. Contrary to historical performances, gave up more fly balls and homers the last two years which would bode badly for a movement to Wrigley, although he seems back on track for a decent HR total this year.

[anabiono]

his numbers have been supressed as he's had to recover from losing his fingernail and was unable to throw his curveball for awhile. it seems he's close to returning to form, and is possibly the best buy low candidate there is.

 

#1 on my wish list

 

 

thank you for speaking the truth!!!

[Flames24Rulz]

I don't mind Burnett, but I'd much rather have Sabathia or Harden even though I realize they'd command much more in return.