Below me, Steve has a nice writeup out detailing the struggles between A.J. Burnett and Jorge Posada, struggles which were on display in yesterday’s game against Boston. In terms of Burnett’s pitch selection, Posada and Burnett found it difficult to get on the same page, and the issue seemed to be a contributing factor to Burnett’s 9 ER outing. However, after the game, Burnett stated that Posada “calls fine back there” and that it was a matter of individual execution rather than game-calling. While that’s certainly debatable (with Posada behind the dish, batters have a .751 OPS against Burnett), especially after yesterday’s performance, I think the central problem here is not Posada. He and Burnett are going to experience their share of bumps and bruises as they get to know each other better—that’s a given. Instead, we must look at A.J. Burnett as the main reason A.J. Burnett has failed this season against Boston.
Prior to 2009, Burnett had been dominant against the Red Sox, posting a 2.55 ERA against them. However, this season, Burnett has been awful against the Sawx, allowing 20 ER over 20 1/3 IP as Boston has hit .291 against him. That’s good for an 8.85 ERA and 1.92 WHIP. Burnett’s career ERA against the Sox has ballooned dramatically and now sits at 4.23. At the end of the day, you can’t blame Posada for the shift in fortunes against the Sox, not when Burnett had been so dominant against them beforehand. He should be able to get by and pitch well enough to keep the Yankees in the ballgame, regardless of who the catcher is, however, what we’ve seen in 3 of his 4 BoSox starts has been absolutely dreadful (even in his one good start, he had 6 BB). He looks lost on the mound, which is perplexing.
Why has this happened? Why hasn’t Burnett executed against Boston this season? It’s hard to tell, really, but, instead of blaming Posada, which many may argue that I’ve done before, I think we have to remember that A.J. Burnett is getting his first taste of the Red Sox rivalry. He’s feeling the pressure of pitching at Fenway against our hated opponents and, based on the subsequent results, I would argue that it—the pressure—has ultimately gotten to him.
Before signing with the Yankees, it was rumored that Burnett did not seriously consider offers from Atlanta because he did not wish to be seen as their “ace.” The title seemed to scare him away. Instead, pitching for the Yankees and being just another piece of the pitching puzzle—a puzzle led by CC Sabathia—was thought of as a more attractive option. Last December, I questioned whether or not this was the type of player the Yankees needed—a guy who didn’t want to be the team’s ace and go-to-guy. And, while I think the Yankees have gotten what they paid for from Burnett this season, I think we’re witnessing a pitcher who may not be the same against the Red Sox now that he’s wearing a New York uniform. If you’re not a fan of the spotlight, it’s not the best position to be in and Burnett seems rattled.
Let’s just hope it gets better with time, because, whether he likes it or not, Burnett needs to be “the guy” whenever he faces Boston.
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14 Responses to Blaming Burnett
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TIQ IQ
You are right; some pitchers step it up and others fold.
AJ has done fine in games after a loss (must games) would he fold under the pressure of a Boston game? I, for one, don’t know but, maybe the trust factor in Posada (when he gets in trouble) is not there!?!
“Doubt,” is a killer in one’s performance on the mound and it seems as-though he has doubts with Posada. Seems…being the key word here. Is all of this the catchers fault…not a chance, or is it the pressure?!? What ever the cause, it needs to be addressed NOW!
It’s amazing how complex these issues really are. For instance, does Burnett believe that Posada won’t catch his curveball and therefore is hesitant to throw it or does he not have command of it on a given day? It’s a weird dynamic, which probably makes it difficult to address.
I’m not sure whether or not Burnett is folding against Boston but if you took away his starts against them, he’d have a 3.38 ERA. To me, that says something. When you think about how dominant he has been against them, historically, the guy should have an ERA under three or a hair over after seeing them 4 times. It’s amazing how awful he has been against this one team.
Yeah and he shut them down in a 7 2/3 gem out pitching Beckett at the stadium, he isn’t folding under pressure he was pissed at Posada and didn’t want to throw what was called but had no choice because Posada won’t budge from his opinions… I’ve said it for years Jorge is a good bat but his attitude and arrogance costs this team wins time and time again because he gets in the face of a pitcher on the mound rather than just go to another pith. Jorge needs to understand that the win loss record doesn’t go next to his name it goes next to the pitcher, he thinks as the catcher his word his final and that is the wrong attitude to have.
While I agree that Posada isn’t the real problem, I think the sample size is too small to draw any conclusions. I think the more likely answer is that he simply hasn’t had the command and/or stuff on the days he’s pitched against them.
Agreed. He did pitch great in the NY game.
It could be. I really don’t think we’ll know what the issue is, exactly, until we see him pitch against them in 2010.
The fact that Burnett has stayed healthy and given them innings all year after people were questioning him, should be a plus. Also he has looked good excempt these three games against Boston, in Boston. That is why they should try out Molina catching him to see if that works. Posada needs time off to make sure he is fresh for the postseason (fingers crossed) anyways. It couldn’t hurt.
Also, just remember he threw a complete game against Oakland his last start and lost, b/c the yankees couldn’t score runs for him against Tomko. Besides, if they didn’t sign Burnett they were looking at Lowe and he hasn’t been great in the NL East with the Braves.
He’s definitely been worth the money. I don’t think the Yankees will use Molina in Burnett’s next start since that would be too obvious a switch. I think they’ll let them continue to figure each other out and work on it as a duo. Looking back on the signing, I’m glad they got Burnett, too. I initially hated the idea of having him on the team but it has worked, thus far (I do think they gave him 1 year too many, but it’s okay).
Its Sunday and I’m bored but I looked at all of AJ’s stats and have found out that 4 catchers have caught him this year (posada, molina, cash and cervelli) and posada is the only one where the hits are more than the innings pitched. Granted posada has caught more than four times as many games as the other 3, but that is still worth looking at. also his era is lowest with cervelli than molina, cash and lastly posada.
I love that they offer that info at BR. The sample sizes are extremely small for everyone, even Posada, but I think it does indicate something about Posada’s game-calling. For whatever reason, pitchers—our pitchers, specifically—seem to walk a lot of hitters when he’s behind the dish. I don’t get that.
He is arrogant and rude on the field because of his pride and I truly think he makes some pitchers think more about him than the game at times because he is forceful with his opinions on play calling.
The problem is Posada, almost everyone on the staff has had problems of some kind with Posada. Problems that they don’t have with Molina! It’s not because Jorge is a bad catcher it’s because he is to prideful as a catcher, the guy refuses to be wrong and can not stand a pitcher shaking him off. So instead of just going to another sign he will continue to call the same pitch and eventually go out to the mound, there are some pitchers like Joba and AJ who you don’t do that too you let them call there game and give suggestions but if they want to change let them. No pitcher can win throwing pitches they aren’t comfortable with in counts they don’t like. Pettitte, Chamberlain, Burnett, and Mussina have all had problems with Posada on this issue in the past two years and it led to Molina being Moose’s personal catcher last year and for part of the year with Pettitte this season. Jorge just has to accept that he isn’t god out on the diamond and allow pitchers to pitch!
It almost appeared as if Burnett was grooving everthing to burn posada. Can’t anyone else feel the contempt Burnett has for Posada? He completetely showed him up with “why did I throw that pitch”.
Get over it Burnett. Talk before the game. Get a game plan and stick to it. I know Posada isn’t good defensively anymore but you don’t blame bad performances on catchers. And your not in Steve Carlton’s league yet….although your getting paid like him.
Come on man if Posada keeps calling for the same pitch after 3 or 4 shakes you will eventually throw the pitch he is calling for and if you don’t Posada comes out to the mound to make you throw it so eventually you are just throwing it to shut him up! Then you don’t feel good about the pitch and then the pitch has no conviction behind it, and if you don’t think that matters (to borrow a line from Mike Francesa dumb @ss) you’re dead wrong it matters a lot!