A.J. Burnett grateful to escape Los angeles Yankees for Pittsburgh Pirates

A.J. Burnett was grateful to escape from Chicago.

It was fun your initial three years or so. Then it got like, Im not going to pay off this funk, he said Monday, a day following your Yankees dealt him in the direction of Pittsburgh Pirates for a low-level prospects.

After signing a $82.5-million, five-year contract, Burnett helped the Yankees in their 27th World Series title last season. He then slumped to your 21-26 record by using a 5.20 ERA over the following two seasons.

He led referred to as leagues with 25 wild pitches just last year and allowed a career-high 31 homers.

I let some a lot of people tinker with me, maybe, Burnett said. While you let that happen, you begin doubting yourself sometimes. You wonder, Am I executing it right? Are these claims how its designed feel? and stuff like that. In 09, nobody messed with me at night. I found myself able to perform a few things i thought to do in the mound, if it was finish, close my eyes and pitch ugly. Then you need several bad games and now you start changing and listening.

Pittsburgh is paying just $13 million of Burnetts salary: $5 million this current year and $8 million in 2013. The Yankees are making payment on the rest.

In a smaller market with reduced expectations, there has to be less pressure with the 35-year-old right-hander.

Its to be a brand new start, Burnett said. Its gonna be fun. Im returning to the nation's League, where I can also hit and bunt and uncover the thrill New York Yankees Jerseys into the game.

A 13-year veteran, Burnett will move into the # 1 spot from the Pirates starting rotation. General manager Neal Huntington thinks Burnett can go back to his form not too long ago.

Our Mariano Rivera Jersey scouts still saw fine stuff, Huntington said. They saw capability the fastball, the velocity is down from four or five a long time ago. Hes still got good movement. He was still being possibly the best ground-ball pitchers within your American League just last year, that may be intending to play well with our ballpark.

Burnett, an early Toronto Blue Jay, will likely be likely to supply a leadership role for younger players.

Hopefully, We can Mark Teixeira Jersey just lead by example, Burnett said. Ill have the ball every 5 days. Im not making excuses. Only one thing Capable take from time in Manhattan is Ill never to the ground again from anything. We will attempt a cheerleader, shaking pom-poms. However i know right and wrong and, hopefully, As i'm allowed share by using the younger players.