How much is Burnett worth?

[MarinersFan87]

5 years, 65 million?

There is a new entrant into the hunt for free-agent right-hander A.J. Burnett.

And this team may be more of a threat to the Blue Jays, who are pursuing Burnett, than either the New York Yankees or the Boston Red Sox.

The Seattle Mariners have made pitching a priority and will pursue Burnett, the best available, despite the fact he was sent packing -- told to go home -- by the Florida Marlins the final week of the season.

Teams predict that Burnett will shy away from signing with the large market Yankees or Red Sox, as long as a contract offer is comparable.

The Mariners are guessing the asking price for Burnett will be $65 million US for five years. That's $13 million up from early September when the guessing was he would get $10-to-$11 million for four years.

With him pitching half his games at Safeco, I'd like to think that a 3.20'ish ERA is for a 28 year old who has struck out 200 batters already once in his career (and would've done it again this year had he been given his last start) would be worth it.

[Providence A's]

5 years?!?! With his injury history? GAM-BLE

[MarinersFan87]

Burnett isn't an injury risk. Once you recover from TJ surgery you're less likely to get hurt again.

[Providence A's]

we shall see...you know he's just going where the money is...and Toronto is expanding the payroll, so unless you guys have a lot of extra dough lying around to splurge on a career .500 pitcher with an ERA close to 4, then by all means

[MarinersFan87]

Look at his numbers for his 3 complete seasons. In 2001 (when he was 24 years old) he went 11-12 with a 4.05 ERA. In 2002, 12-9 with a 3.30 ERA. This year, when he went 12-12 with a 3.45 ERA. Pretty good, and you could expect those numbers to go up in Safeco, which is even better for groundball pitchers like AJ and Felix. Yeah, the price tag is high, but that is what you're going to expect for the best pitcher on the market who is only 28. If the Jays are going to give him more cash 65 for 5 then I doubt the M's are going to get him.

[RockSports17]

A team that may come out of no where and sign AJ is the Tigers. It's been known since before the trading deadline that Tigers are looking for a top pitcher and Burnett's name has been floating around. I can assure that Dombrowski is going to try and get Burnett to come to Detroit.

[Porter]

Seattle will take the injury risk over the likes of Franklin....any day.

[love_that_reefer]

How much is he worth is the question. The answer for a five year deal is 5 yrs at $35 million. The guy is simply not as good as advertised. What will he get? He will be very overpaid and I hope the Giants don't touch this guy with a 33.5 ft pole

[Porter]

He still be better off than Pavano and Jaret Wrong. And im pretty sure the Giants would be happy to have him for that 7 M per year. I think the M's need to get Milwood and not Burnett cause of the price difference.

[MarinersFan87]

I'd be shocked if Millwood doesn't re-up with Cleveland.

[love_that_reefer]

If the Giants gave him 7 mil a year I would be pissed.

[Kingdom]

I think almost any fan would be pissed if they gave him 7 million, except maybe the yankees.

[love_that_reefer]

Yankees are hoping that 7 mil goes to Shawn Chacon

[Element]

$65 mill is a little sleep, but it isn't my money, so go for it.

[Porter]

you know considering the contract that Pavano got. 65 Mill wouldnt seem so bad. Its not like hes Jaret Wrong....er Right...er DL.