C.C Sabathia, Chien-Ming Wang , Joba Chamberlain and A.J Burnett.
Not bad, and not done yet.
Friday afternoon the Yankees and free agent A.J Burnett reached preliminary agreement on a five-year, $82.5 million contract. While Yankees general manager Brian Cashman and agent Braunecker are still negotiating final contract terms, the deal is expected to be complete once Burnett passes a physical.
The Yankees made a late and aggressive push to beat out the Braves for Burnett, who went 18-10 with a 4.07 ERA in 35 starts with Toronto this season. Burnett won 10 of his last 12 decisions and set career highs in wins and strikeouts (231).
What may concern Yankee fans is the injury history of the ultra talented right hander along with his high level of play coinciding with contract years. That being said, Burnett was lights out in the Bronx last year leaving management to believe he will excel in the spotlight while wearing pinstripes.
Joe Girardi had a guest spot on the Mike Francesa radio program earlier in the week and revealed that Phil Hughes is not penciled in for the rotation. This leaves open obvious speculation of who will indeed fill that 5th spot in the rotation. Reports have Derek Lowe, Andy Pettitte, and Ben Sheets as possible signings.
''I can sense the excitement and the confidence that's spreading around the entire organization about what we're getting done and what we may get done still,'' Yankees co-chairman Hank Steinbrenner told The Canadian Press. ''A rising tide lifts all boats, and the confidence and the excitement right now among the team and the organization is contagious.''
After missing out on Santana it looks as if Brian Cashman is looking to erase that misstep from everybody's minds. In the words of Hank Steinbrenner, he is getting it done, and may have more to get done still.
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