Yankees general manager Brian Cashman on Friday launched an impassioned defense of supposed No. 2 starter A.J. Burnett, lashing out at the pitcher's critics and claiming reaction to his struggles are “overblown,” based on the perception he is overpaid and rely on emotion rather than facts.
“The stuff on A.J. is way overblown. A.J.’s been solid for us this year. I just think the way it’s playing doesn’t necessarily reflect how he’s pitched,” Cashman said. “The public outcry recently is all emotion rather than factual.”
Cashman, acknowledging Burnett has not performed like a No. 2, nevertheless called on critics to “peel the onion” and examine Burnett’s recent numbers, claiming a lack of victories could be...
Read Full Article »
Recommended Articles
Hunter Atkins, New York Times - May 8, 2012
Yankees outfielder Nick Swisher likes to call Tampa Bay Rays Manager Joe Maddon “the mad scientist,” and with good reason. When the two teams met, in St. Petersburg, Fla., on the opening weekend of the regular ... more »
John Harper, New York Daily News - May 9, 2012
Based simply on numbers, you can make the case the Yankees look desperate here, calling up Andy Pettitte to start Sunday in the Bronx before he’s truly ready.
But that’s a silly way of interpreting a decision they had to... more »
Matthew Leach, mlb.com - May 11, 2012
Two hundred million dollars won't necessarily buy you wins. But it sure can buy you a lot of margin for error.
If there's a difference between the rosters of the two favorites in the American League East this year, it's that.... more »
John Harper, New York Daily News - May 5, 2012
If a man can make walking with crutches look effortless, well, who else but Mariano Rivera? Here he was, practically gliding across the clubhouse on his new crutches, when he noticed everyone studying his every move.
“I didn't... more »
Jeff Passan, Yahoo! Sports - May 11, 2012
Alex Rodriguez has played in every game this season. Sometime this summer, maybe on an extra-humid afternoon or during the 20-games-in-20-days stretch the New York Yankees face in August, manager Joe Girardi will sit him.... more »