Yankees Rumors: Brian Cashman “Comfortable” with A.J. Burnett

To say A.J. Burnett has been a disappointment would be considered an understatement, especially by those Yankees fans that have had to watch him for the past three seasons.  Still, New York’s general manager Brian Cashman is “comfortable” with Burnett.

Last night at an event at Sacred Heart University, Cashman was asked if he feels comfortable with Burnett as his team prepares to enter the 2012 season.  The question drew laughter from the crowd, but Cashman took it very seriously.

In describing Burnett and his track record in New York, Cashman used the words talented and inconsistent.

Cashman basically said he’d be lying if he didn’t admit more was expected out of Burnett when the Yankees signed him to a five-year, $82.5 million deal.  Still, Cashman noted that he’s “comfortable with everything” Burnett does and “the accountability that comes with him”.  Cashman made it clear that as long as Burnett doesn’t give up on himself, he’s going to have the pitcher’s back.

New York was reportedly considering shopping Burnett to free up money that could be used to pursue a designated hitter.  The chances of anyone taking on Burnett without the Yankees taking on a large portion of his contract are slim-to-none, as the 35-year-old has posted ERA’s north of 5.00 in 2010-11.

So what else is Cashman to do then say he has Burnett’s back?  It could end up a moot point, as the big right-hander will be competing to retain his position in the Yankees rotation this spring with veteran Freddy Garcia and fellow enigma Phil Hughes.

While Cashman may be comfortable having Burnett on his roster, I’m not sure how comfortable the Yankees will be paying the right-hander $33 million over the next two seasons.

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