Yankees introduce Sabathia, Burnett

Dec 18, 2008 - 9:33 PM BRONX, New York (Ticker) -- After finalizing their hefty new contracts, CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett donned pinstripes for the first time.

The New York Yankees formally introduced Sabathia and Burnett, the quarter of a billion dollar pitching investment brought in to help the Bronx Bombers return to the postseason, during a news conference Thursday afternoon.

The Yankees made the biggest splash of the offseason last week when they formally agreed to a seven-year, $161 million deal with Sabathia, who received the largest and richest contract ever given to a pitcher.

Five days ago, the Yankees opened their checkbook again to acquire Burnett, who agreed to a five-year, $82.5 million deal.

Both Sabathia, 28, and Burnett, 31, officially signed their respective contracts Thursday before meeting the media at Yankee Stadium.

"I'm excited to be here," Sabathia said. "I want the ball every day, and I feel I can take on that (ace) role."

"I wanted to come to a place with a big stage," Burnett said. "I wanted to pitch in the postseason. That's all I'm here for. I'm here to win."

There had been reports that Sabathia, the most coveted pitcher on the free-agent market, was unsure about wanting to pitch on the East Coast for the Yankees, who reside in the media capital of the world.

But the 6-7, 290-pound Sabathia was all smiles while wearing his No. 52 Yankees jersey, claiming that he was excited to play in the Big Apple.

"There were some attractions on the West Coast," said Sabathia, who was joined at the news conference by his wife and agent. "But when it came down to it and really thinking about what I wanted, as far as having a chance to win every year, there really was no other place to go."

The Milwaukee Brewers, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and Boston Red Sox all were believed to have made offers for Sabathia.

But none of those teams had the financial means of the Yankees, who seemed poised to do whatever it took to sign Sabathia after they missed the playoffs last season for the first time since 1993.

Sabathia led the Brewers to the playoffs after a midseason trade in 2008 when he went 11-2 with a 1.65 ERA. The lefthander won the American League Cy Young Award the previous season with the Cleveland Indians.

Burnett, an injury-prone veteran coming off the best season of his career, joins Sabathia in an overhauled Yankees rotation that already includes Chien-Ming Wang and Joba Chamberlain.

The Yankees reportedly also have contacted lefthander Andy Pettitte about potentially returning for another year in the Bronx.

But whether the No. 5 slot in the rotation is filled by Pettitte or fragile prospect Phil Hughes, Yankees manager Joe Girardi is confident with a 1-2 of Sabathia and Burnett.

"We got the two gentlemen we really wanted," Girardi said. "It's such a big Christmas gift. I told my wife she didn't have to get me anything. We wanted to add two top-of-the-rotation guys, and I think we got the two best."

Burnett, who went 18-10 with a 4.07 ERA in 35 starts last season with the Blue Jays, recently opted out of the final two seasons of the five-year, $55 million deal he signed with Toronto prior to the 2006 campaign.

But despite walking away from $24 million in guaranteed money, Burnett received an even bigger payday from the Yankees.

"I think I'll fit right in," said Burnett, who will wear No. 34. "I grew up in this game. You don't point fingers, you take the blame like a man and be accountable."

The sizable investment in Burnett could be a risky one; the righthander has endured myriad injuries over his 10-year career.

Burnett, who led the American League with 231 strikeouts last season, has made more than 30 starts just twice in his career and has eclipsed the 200-inning mark only three times (2002, 2005, 2008).

However, the hard-throwing Burnett appeared to make strides last season, when he set career highs in wins, strikeouts, starts (34) and innings (221 1/3). In 215 career games with Toronto and Florida, Burnett is 87-76 with a 3.81 ERA.

"Burnett has great stuff," Girardi said. "I think he's matured a lot as a pitcher, as well. I think he's much more complete as a pitcher than he was a couple of years ago."