A Pirate Pitcher

During the first week of February, I suggested that the Mets give Sean Burnett a flyer, considering that they had plenty of room on the 40-man roster, he was a low-risk, high-reward guy, and would come cheap. At the time, I had this crazy notion that the Mets might need an extra starter — just in case one of El Duque’s body parts acted up and/or something else unexpected occurred.

Once a promising young starter for the Pirates, Burnett suffered a serious elbow injury that required Tommy John surgery and knocked him out for the better part of two seasons. ARight before spring training, the Bucs DFA’d him, but he cleared waivers and stayed on with Pittsburgh.

Burnett put up a strong performance in winter ball, did well in the Pirates’ minicamp, and has had a stellar spring. However, he is fighting for the Bucs’ last bullpen spot and there’s a good chance he won’t make the cut.

So here we are, the Mets DO need another starter, and they may have a second chance to acquire Burnett for next to nothing. He may not be a better option than Nelson Figueroa or Jorge Sosa right now, but take a look at the lack of depth waiting in AAA and you tell me whether it makes sense to stockpile some arms like his.

Who knows, maybe the Bucs will add Xavier Nady to the trade as a throw-in.