Free agent starting pitcher A.J. Burnett has signed a one-year, $8.5 million contact with the Pittsburgh Pirates, per Jon Heyman of CBS Sports.
A.J. Burnett signs 1-year deal with Pirates
The starter returns to Pittsburgh for $8.5 million.
Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
Burnett held a player option to stay with the Philadelphia Phillies in 2015 for $12.75 million, but declined in order to become a free agent. That means he left just over $4 million on the table to escape Philadelphia. While Burnett is an older free agent at 38, he could likely have struck a better deal elsewhere.
Burnett enjoyed his finest post-30 seasons in Pittsburgh in 2012-13, going 26-21 with a 3.41 ERA and 389 strikeouts in 393 innings. Last year, Burnett went 8-18 for the Phillies and lead the league in losses, earned runs (109) and walks (96). He was also on the trade block at midseason, but the Phils failed to strike a deal.
The Pirates face questions in the rotation since both Francisco Liriano and Edinson Volquez are free agents. The Pirates are likely to also check in on other arms to give them options alongside Jeff Locke, Gerrit Cole and Charlie Morton.
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