In December of 2008, the Yankees signed righthander A.J. Burnett to a five-year, $82.5MM deal mere days after signing C.C. Sabathia to an even heftier deal. Their respective performances in the last two games of the ALCS have been microcosms of their performances this season. Today, Sabathia allowed two runs and fanned seven batters across six innings of work. Meanwhile, Burnett surrendered five runs in six innings last night, putting the Yankees on the brink of elimination.
Burnett has turned in a 5.26 ERA this season, the worst of his career along with a 7.0 K/9 ratio, his lowest since 2001. While the Yankees won a World Series with Burnett, they are now saddled with paying him roughly $50MM over the final three years of his contract.
Given the opportunity, would the Yankees make the same deal with Burnett again?