Article: Blue Jays claim Alex Burnett off waivers

[Nick Nelson]

You can view the page at http://twinsdaily.com/content.php?r=1495-Blue-Jays-claim-Alex-Burnett-off-waivers

[jorgenswest]

Somehow the Twins didn't utilize the talent they saw in the 22 year old they brought to the majors. It is either an error in talent assessment at the time of call up or talent development by not allowing him real time in AAA.

 

I hope he does well with the Blue Jay organization.

[Thrylos]

Totally stupid move by Ryan. Lots of other options to take off the 40-man roster including Butera, Wood, Thielbar. Or he could at least try to work out a trade. Horrible move I hope it does not come back to bite the Twins

[h2oface]

Inherited runners scored was a Burnett specialty. Doesn't Boston have to put him on waivers to send him to AAA, too?

[Rosterman]

With Thielbar and Butera being more likely candidates to go thru waivers, surprised by this move (shades of Pat Neshek who still had options). Burnett was still young enough to contribute 2-3 years in the back of the bullpen. Maybe it opens a door for Slama to be reconsidered in the near future.

[Physics Guy]

I'm not sure Butera makes it through waivers, at least if the reports were accurate when he was sent to AAA. Some would argue that it would not be a major loss if Butera had been outrighted, but Burnett is easily replaceable. Are we really worried he's going to tear it up in the AL East?

[Shane Wahl]

Burnett is not going to last long in the majors.

[Physics Guy]

I don't have any basis for this, but just seems to be true. How many guys actually are successful relievers if they come out of the minors as relievers. It seems as though most of the Twins top relievers were converted starters: Aguilera, Guardado, Hawkins, Nathan.... I think Burnett pretty much reached his ceiling which was 4th or 5th reliever.

[Jeremy Nygaard]

Burnett was optioned to Triple-A by Toronto. On their 40-man, but not on their 25-man. Same as his situation here. He's also using his final option this year and will more than likely be arbitration-eligible after this season.

[cmathewson]

I'm not bothered by this. Burnett is not getting any better. And his peripherals are getting worse. Andy loved him to a fault the last three years. And it cost the Twins plenty. Plus, he's like 10 other guys waiting for an opportunity. He walked 6 guys in 8 innings this spring. That, more than anything, sealed his fate. I'd be surprised if he amounts to anything for the Blue Jays.

[adjacent]

I am sure they thought Burnett would clear waivers, but it is not a big loss. He was sent down because other guys were better, and there are plenty of other options.

[bear333]

Totally stupid move by Ryan. Lots of other options to take off the 40-man roster including Butera, Wood, Thielbar. Or he could at least try to work out a trade. Horrible move I hope it does not come back to bite the Twins

Burnett did this to himself.

[beckmt]

One down and more to go. Progress for a team is removing dead wood from the 40 man roster, Toronto has room because of trading many upper level minor league prospects on the 40 man roster for the talent they received in trade. Odds are this will not hurt and Twins and in my mind is the start of improvement

[savvyspy]

Burnett is no better it worse than anyone else on this staff. Other than Hicks the entire 25 man roster could be dealt or claimed and I wouldn't lose any sleep over it. This is a bottom 3 roster in the majors. Not worth getting worked up when a AA talent we had on the major league roster gets claimed. Addition by subtraction.

[Mr. Brooks]

Somehow the Twins didn't utilize the talent they saw in the 22 year old they brought to the majors. It is either an error in talent assessment at the time of call up or talent development by not allowing him real time in AAA.

 

I hope he does well with the Blue Jay organization.

 

Or maybe (and this is a wild and crazy thought), just a tiny bit of the responsibility falls on the player?

No nevermind, what was I thinking. Couldn't possibly be the player's fault that he didnt achieve his potential.

Much like JaMarcus Russell, and Todd Marinovich, it was the coaching staff and FO that ruined him.

[Mr. Brooks]

Totally stupid move by Ryan. Lots of other options to take off the 40-man roster including Butera, Wood, Thielbar. Or he could at least try to work out a trade. Horrible move I hope it does not come back to bite the Twins

 

I think "stupid" and "horrible" might be just a tad too strong of words for losing a replacement level middle reliever.

[Top Gun]

Stupid move by Twins. You do not waiver a major league ready player with a option.

[spideyo]

Stupid move by Twins. You do not waiver a major league ready player with a option.

 

They had to waive somebody to make room for Ramirez. They can't waive anybody that's injured, and they clearly felt that losing Burnett would be less impactful than losing any of the other candidates.

[Mr. Brooks]

Stupid move by Twins. You do not waiver a major league ready player with a option.

 

The option had nothing to do with it. They had to remove someone from the 40 man roster, options have nothing to do with that.

[Brad Swanson]

This doesn't bother me at all. Burnett was nothing special. Guys like him grow on trees.

[TwinsFanInPhilly]

The people who want to grouse will grouse about anything - this thread is living proof.

[Danchat]

These guys are a dime by the dozen. Don't lose any sleep over it. We can claim one of these guys next time somebody gets DFA'd.

[Brock Beauchamp]

I just have a feeling this might haunt the Twins.

 

I don't. The Twins have a decent pen already, Burnett can't miss a bat to save his life, and the Twins acquired about 75 power relievers in the last draft.

 

No loss at all.

[YourHouseIsMyHouse]

I'm so happy. I can't believe some people are mad about this. He's an awful relief pitcher who can't get strikeouts and let's too many batters on.

[Top Gun]

Well maybe they can pick him back up and then option him.

[mgraves]

I'm so happy. I can't believe some people are mad about this. He's an awful relief pitcher who can't get strikeouts and let's too many batters on.

Bingo. People who are complaining about losing Alex Burnett would complain about the color of the sky. Burnett is a bad pitcher who was getting worse each year. Good riddance and good luck. Maybe a change of scenery will make him a better pitcher. I doubt it.

[Seth Stohs]

When I saw the press release come across my phone yesterday afternoon, I was quite surprised. Despite those low strikeout totals and too-high strikeout rate, Burnett did get the job done most of last year. He is still young. He is a good dude, and I really hope that he figures out a way to use his good fastball, get some movement on it and finally develop those other pitches better. I hope he succeeds. I think that a year in AAA will be good for him. He never got that. In that rookie season, he was in his first year on the roster and was optioned early in camp, but when Clay Condrey had to go on the DL the final weekend of the spring, they went with Burnett, straight from AA. I wish him well.

[Shane Wahl]

I am surprised that people care about this. He was very lucky last year to not be shelled *a lot.*

[cmathewson]

When I saw the press release come across my phone yesterday afternoon, I was quite surprised. Despite those low strikeout totals and too-high strikeout rate, Burnett did get the job done most of last year. He is still young. He is a good dude, and I really hope that he figures out a way to use his good fastball, get some movement on it and finally develop those other pitches better. I hope he succeeds. I think that a year in AAA will be good for him. He never got that. In that rookie season, he was in his first year on the roster and was optioned early in camp, but when Clay Condrey had to go on the DL the final weekend of the spring, they went with Burnett, straight from AA. I wish him well.

 

Burnett's problem is he never learned a decent second pitch. This means he is only a contact pitcher. And we all know that the sinker comes and goes. When it's not there, he's extremely hittable. Unlike you, I don't think he made progress last year. He was just lucky, had a lot of balls hit at people instead of between people. That will not last.

 

I don't wish anyone ill will or anything. I just think he's the best candidate to be taken off the 40-man. I'm surprised the Twins think so as well (I predicted Thielbar). But call me pleasantly surprised.

[bird]

No one will have a single thought about Burnett by April 1st. That's Monday.