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A.J. Burnett might retire after the 2013 season
A.J. Burnett is entering the final chapter of that failed five-year, $82.5
million contract that he signed in December 2008 with the Yankees. Having
made all that money, the 36-year-old right-hander is now thinking about
walking away from the game.
Burnett told Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review on Wednesday
that he might retire from baseball when the 2013 season ends to spend more
time with his family. He’s being pressured by his Pirates teammates to stick
around for two more years and help lead the organization’s turnaround, but
Burnett has two kids nearing their teenage years and he wants to be more
involved in their lives as they grow into young adults.
“It’s a family thing,” the veteran starter said Wednesday in Pirates camp.
“My kids are 9 and 12 now. I’m sure if I mention (retiring) to (the kids),
they’d say, ‘No, keep playing.’ But … I don’t know.”
Burnett posted a superb 3.51 ERA in 31 starts last season for the Bucs,
striking out 180 batters in 202 1/3 innings. He was traded from New York to
Pittsburgh in February 2012 for two minor leaguers.