Burnett Stays Local, Signs With Phillies

A. J. Burnett

The Philadelphia Phillies have agreed to a one-year $16 million deal with veteran righty A.J. Burnett. According to multiple sources, the deal also includes a mutual option for the 2015 season, as well as a possible player option for 2016.

Burnett, 37, is coming off a tremendous year with the Pirates in which he had an impressive 3.30 ERA and helped the team reach the playoffs for first time in over two decades.

Before signing on with the Phillies, Burnett spent most of the winter mulling over a possible retirement. Rumors of a "return to Pittsburgh or retirement" ultimatum surfaced, shortly after the 2013 season had ended.

However, at the request of his wife, Burnett broadened his possible teams under the condition that his final landing spot was near the couple's Monkton, Md. offseason home.

A quick map-quest shows his wife, Karen, got her wish. Burnett's new team in Philadelphia is a quick two hour drive from the family home.

Burnett is set to slide into the #3 slot in a rotation that includes two of the top lefties in the game in Cliff Lee and Cole Hamels. Kyle Kendrick and Roberto Hernandez round out the top five pitchers for a Phillies team desperate to improve upon an abysmal 73-89 2013 campaign.