The 2013 Pittsburgh Pirates season is officially over which means it's time to turn our heads towards Free Agency and the future as November looms. The Pirates have a variety of needs.. 1B, RF along with needing to extend Pedro Alvarez and Neil Walker. If anyone felt that GM Neal Huntington had his work cut out for him at the Trade Deadline in 2013 to put the Pirates over the top, this Offseason is going to be 10 times more difficult.
Despite there being needs in other areas, the one area of need that fans seem to be ignoring is Starting Pitching.
A.J. Burnett is a Free Agent and Neal Huntington has to replace roughly 191-202 Innings per season to go along with an outstanding FIP, xFIP and ERA that A.J Burnett has produced. At 37, Burnett is way past his prime years and he could fall off a cliff at any point but his production still needs replaced.
So, who do the Pirates replace A.J Burnett with?
A.J. Burnett
The Pirates won't get Burnett's production in Free Agency cheaply and it is questionable whether the Pirates even need a long term solution that they'd have to sign to confidently replace A.J. Butnett's production. Gerrit Cole is their heir apparent ace. Francisco Liriano still is in his prime. Charlie Morton bounced back well despite not throwing all his pitches he used to pre-Tommy Johns. Jeff Locke came into his own before wearing down late and pitchers like Jameson Taillon and Tyler Glasnow are getting closer to their MLB debuts. The Pirates have long term solutions. What they lack is a short term solution until Taillon and Glasnow are ready. A short term solution while Cole further develops into that Ace.
A.J. Burnett is that short term solution.
Yes, Burnett had a bad game in Game 1 of the NLDS. He's not been strong in St.Louis in general. Give the guy a pass. Doug Drabek pitched 2 crummy games against the Braves in the 1992 NLDS that left people wondering why Bob Walk wasn't pitched in Game 7.
Burnett shouldn't be victimized for 1 bad game like ******bag, 3rd-rate "journalists" like Bob Smizik have attempted to do.. (People who know me are waiting for a Bob Smizik rant now!). A.J. Burnett has been more of an MVP to this team than many people realize. He brought in a culture of attitude, swagger, cockiness and desire to win that wasn't here before. Clint Hurdle couldn't bring that. Andrew McCutchen lacks that type of personality.
A.J. Burnett has been largely responsible for changing the culture in the Pittsburgh Pirates clubhouse. It's that personality and leadership he brings that the Pirates clubhouse still needs as they continue righting the ship. It's difficult to replace. Ask the Pittsburgh Penguins how valuable Billy Guerin was to their locker room. The Steelers have been sorely missing a Jerome Bettis and Hines Ward type. It makes a difference. A.J. Burnett makes a huge difference.
So, pay the man. If it costs, $10 million per year, on a short term 1-2 year contract, then pay it. The Pirates paid Kevin Correia $4 million per year to allow 4 runs per game and not strike anyone out. We've been paying Clint Barmes $5 million per year to bat in the low .200's. A.J. Burnett actually produces and beyond that, he improved statistically this past season thanks in large part to Russell Martin's mastery of game calling and framing pitches.
A.J. Burnett wants to be here. The Pirates need him more than people realize. So, Mr.Huntington, if you're reading this.. Keep A.J. here. It might be the best offseason decision you could make outside of the obvious in house extensions.