WHY NOT TRADE AJ BURNETT FOR BILLY BUTLER?

The Yankees will trade AJ Burnett...it’s no secret anymore. Once it was clear that the Yankees would receive Michael Pineda for Jesus Montero, the writing was on the wall for AJ Burnett. Why because AJ Burnett’s agent did something that was a slap in the face at Yankee brass. He “assumed” his client would still be in the Yankee rotation after it was clear, there is no indication that that would be the case. He immediately was quoted as saying he "expected" Burnett to be in the rotation. Let’s not forget the Yankees also signed Hiroki Kuroda and now have several starters to compete for roles. There's a lesson to be learned... Never assume and never expect.

The Yankees are now in the driver's seat more than before, and if they weren’t thinking about seriously trading AJ Burnett before, they are now. Why do I know? Because there are have been way too many stories to indicate that the Yankees cannot add a DH unless they free up money in a Burnett trade. Read HERE and HERE. Never mess with the New York Yankees, you play by their rules or you don’t play in pinstripes… AJ Burnett is about to learn that. Message to Burnett, fire your agent, he’s got a big mouth.

Burnett would have been perfectly fine competing for a rotation spot like everyone else, he just wants a job and wants to compete. That hasn’t changed in Burnett, it’s getting to that solid state and winning that’s been difficult. Couple that with an agent that “expects” anything at all from the New York Yankees and I have come up with a solution. (Read HERE.) It may be ridiculous, and no he's no lefty, and you may disagree, you may even think it’s brilliant… I don’t know what it is, I just want a clean transition so everyone’s happy. Trade AJ Burnett, pay for some of that remaining contract to the Kansas City Royals for 25 year old Billy Butler. I know, Kansas City just laughed their balls off. Look, in the end, AJ Burnett becomes a superstar with the Royals, I just know it. First off, there’s no pressure in that market although he MUST win over the KC fans. AJ can also become a leader in that clubhouse and rotation. In the Bronx, he’s in the mix for any lower level spot in the rotation. In Kansas City, he’s a #2 starter, and a pretty decent one at that.

In return, we get a Designated Hitter that we need who isn’t in his 40’s and can still grow. Butler is a great hitter, a first baseman and without a doubt he’d be able to platoon that DH role between he, Andruw Jones, Alex Rodriguez, Derek Jeter Mark Teixiera throughout the season, while filling in on occasion to play first to give Mark Teixeira a rest. I don’t know, seems pretty nice to me. Billy Butler also doesn't strike out a lot. Sure, Vladimir Guerrero strikes out less, but Guerrero is older. Let's be honest, he's definitely more available than Butler, but in my scenario, I can't unload Burnett if we were to sign Guerrero. OK, now I'm just ranting.

Sure, this idea is slanted in the Yankees favor…well, we are a Yankees fan site, what do you expect? But in all seriously, I wonder if the Royals will give away some of their talented youngsters the way I’m suggesting? I do however believe that Burnett would be a true gamer in Kansas City, without a doubt.

Look, this post is all in fun. I know the Yankees are looking to open their budget up a bit and really can’t do anything until they figure out a trade partner for AJ Burnett. The good thing to know is, they ARE looking for one and that should make Burnett’s agent sweat a bit, he kind of blew it for his client. In the end, Burnett will find a home, be it the Bronx of elsewhere, but it should a lesson to ballplayers; Don’t “expect” anything from the new York Yankees if you don’t show results...that's the bottom line.

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