The Yankees signed another top-tier free agent hurler to join C.C. Sabathia when they shelled out $82.5 million to retain A.J. Burnett’s services for the next 5 seasons. Last year, Burnett was fully healthy and won 18 games while striking out 231 hitters in 221 IP playing second fiddle to Roy Halliday. Since saying yes to the pinstripes, Burnett’s 1999 Topps Traded Autos have experienced a slight jump in eBay market value from $35 to $45 each.
My take: Burnett is a great #2 starter and htere is no reason to believe that he won’t be a 15 game winner with the Bronx Bombers. However, C.C. Sabathia is still the headliner of this rotation and will likely be the one that draws the most market love from the vast contingent of Yankees fans. Sell ‘em if you’ve got ‘em.
Update on Sabathia 1999 Topps Traded Autos. Last week I projected that these cards would be selling in the $150-200 range by this time. Currently, the eBay market shows a price range of $100-110 each. I was waaaaaaay off! This may be due, in part, to a tumultuous economy or to the fact that Yankees fans are quite used to signing big ticket free agents.
Next big question for the drunken sailors…will they let Manny be Manny?
