On Friday it was announced that A.J. Burnett and the Phillies declined their $15 million mutual option, leaving the righty hurler to decide whether to exercise his $12.75 million player option for next year.
The veteran, who turns 38 years old prior to spring training, posted an 8-18 record along with a 4.59 ERA in 34 starts this past season, his first with the team. Burnett has until Monday, five days after the end of the World Series, to decide on his option.
Burnett led the National League in losses, walks issued and earned runs allowed in 2014.
With a salary of $16.75 million last season (including a signing bonus and performance bonuses), Burnett certainly didn’t perform up to expectations. Even the Phillies and general manager Ruben Amaro Jr., who are known to pay under-performing players over age 30 big money, should get a better return for their money than paying a guy more than $2 million per win.
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