Excerpts from Tom D'Angelo's article:

 

The team decided pitcher A.J. Burnett would not make his final start of the season, costing Burnett $50,000.

 

Burnett's contract was for a base salary of $3.65 million, plus $50,000 bonuses for 190, 200 and 210 innings pitched. He has pitched 209 innings.

 

Monday was a typical day after a start for Burnett, who had nothing to add to his comments. His teammates, though, had plenty to say.

 

"It's been a rough couple of weeks," catcher Paul Lo Duca said. "We've lost some really tough games. A lot of things have gone bad on the field. That can happen. It's one of those things. If you're winning this stuff doesn't happen."

 

Said Mike Lowell: "I've never seen a team lose a clubhouse that's winning. (When you’re losing) people get frustrated. When you lose, it's negative."

 

One player said there is some truth to Burnett's comments, and more than one said the team has played "scared," and some of the Marlins have "quit." Others disagree.

 

"I haven't seen it," pitcher Dontrelle Willis said. "It's (McKeon's) team. I play hard every night."

 

Pitcher Josh Beckett suggested there might be frustration stemming from Burnett's performance in a free agent year. Burnett is 12-12 and has lost his last six decisions.

 

"That can become a distraction," Beckett said. "If you don't get it out of the way, it's difficult to concentrate on what you need to concentrate on. I know it's been hard for him."

 

McKeon believes Burnett should "look in the mirror" when placing blame.

 

"Consider the source," McKeon said. "A lot of times negative energy is when you don't hear what you want to hear."

 

One Marlins player said he did not blame the team for holding back Burnett, who was scheduled to make his final start Friday against the Braves. Rookie Josh Johnson will make his starting debut in Burnett's spot.

 

Burnett has made it clear he will not be returning to Florida, meaning he will leave as the team's career leader in wins (49), losses (50), strikeouts (753), complete games (14), starts (131), innings pitched (853) and possibly shutouts.

 

Burnett, though, will be remembered as a pitcher who had good enough stuff to throw a no-hitter in 2001 but one who never fulfilled expectations. He's also had disagreements with management dating back to questions on whether he was overused before undergoing Tommy John surgery in April of 2003. Burnett then watched his teammates win the 2003 World Series.

 

Link to Full Article

 

Can anyone blame the FO?

 

Goodbye AJ and good riddance. He should just go ahead and clean out his locker.

[soup Nazi]

 

No 50k for you!

I don't agree with the FO decision, but the have the right to make it.

 

Why make this a bigger issue?

Lame.

 

Really, really, lame.

Saw this coming a mile away. Gives him time to go home and start packing his bags, so we never have to hear his *****ing ever again.

What's interesting is how Dontrelle and Beckett both backup McKeon

 

I wonder who the unammed sources are.

 

I doubt is Lowell, who was played by McKeon almost till the end

 

 

 

"I haven't seen it," pitcher Dontrelle Willis said. "It's (McKeon's) team. I play hard every night."

 

it is sad that other players on this team can't say the same.

What's interesting is how Dontrelle and Beckett both backup McKeon

 

I wonder who the unammed sources are.

 

I doubt is Lowell, who was played by McKeon almost till the end

 

 

 

"I haven't seen it," pitcher Dontrelle Willis said. "It's (McKeon's) team. I play hard every night."

 

it is sad that other players on this team can't say the same.

 

 

Del-Got-It? Lo Duca? Maybe players that weren't here for the ride in 2003.

Not really surprising after AJ's comments. Disappointing it ended this way, but AJ has no one to blame but himself.

 

Good to see Dontrelle and Beckett back Mckeon though

What's interesting is how Dontrelle and Beckett both backup McKeon

 

I wonder who the unammed sources are.

 

I doubt is Lowell, who was played by McKeon almost till the end

 

 

 

"I haven't seen it," pitcher Dontrelle Willis said. "It's (McKeon's) team. I play hard every night."

 

it is sad that other players on this team can't say the same.

 

 

Del-Got-It? Lo Duca? Maybe players that weren't here for the ride in 2003.

4-3-2-Juan?? :mischief2

Good. Maybe losing out on $50,000 will make him think twice next time he opens his big mouth to spew some negativity.

What's interesting is how Dontrelle and Beckett both backup McKeon

 

I wonder who the unammed sources are.

 

I doubt is Lowell, who was played by McKeon almost till the end

 

 

 

"I haven't seen it," pitcher Dontrelle Willis said. "It's (McKeon's) team. I play hard every night."

 

it is sad that other players on this team can't say the same.

 

 

Del-Got-It? Lo Duca? Maybe players that weren't here for the ride in 2003.

doubtful on Delgado and LoDuca. My guess is some of our bullpen buddies. Maybe JP? I don't think JP would do it, but he is not having much fun out there

What's interesting is how Dontrelle and Beckett both backup McKeon

 

I wonder who the unammed sources are.

 

I doubt is Lowell, who was played by McKeon almost till the end

 

 

 

"I haven't seen it," pitcher Dontrelle Willis said. "It's (McKeon's) team. I play hard every night."

 

it is sad that other players on this team can't say the same.

 

 

The ones that don't say that are just weak. I think the other players that gave negative comments are probably JP and maybe a few people in the bullpen.

:thumbdown

 

Give the fans one last chance to say good-bye. I don't think AJ's been a model citizen, but anyone who fails to recognize his accomplishments simply was either not here during the rough times, or is just fickle beyond reason. AJ's an ass-hole, but for 7 years, he was our ass-hole. It's sad that he absolutely positively will not be back next year, if he made that final start, the chance remained slim, now it's at none.

For sure Encarnacion and Mota.....and maybe Pierre

Definitely not the double play combo

doubtful on Delgado and LoDuca. My guess is some of our bullpen buddies. Maybe JP? I don't think JP would do it, but he is not having much fun out there

 

 

I would tend to agree. LoDuca, from all the comments he's made to the media and in pregame/post game shows does not seem to have anything but the highest regard for McKeon. Delgado is much too saavy to get drawn into this kind of mess.

 

I'd been very disappointed to hear it's JP. Even in an off season I just can't see him as a guy who blames anyone but himself for his problems this season.

What about Villone?

:thumbdown

 

Give the fans one last chance to say good-bye. I don't think AJ's been a model citizen, but anyone who fails to recognize his accomplishments simply was either not here during the rough times, or is just fickle beyond reason. AJ's an ass-hole, but for 7 years, he was our ass-hole. It's sad that he absolutely positively will not be back next year, if he made that final start, the chance remained slim, now it's at none.

My sentiments exactly. Really ballsy move by a lame duck manager and the FO, to tell a player who isn't coming back anyways to leave and not start again. For what? What is he going to do, learn his lesson for a different ball club? What do you care?

 

We watched this guy pitched for 6 years and rooted him on when he was having surgery. The very least you could do is let those of us who looked forward to days he started get to say goodbye.

 

God I can't wait for McKeon to go back to the Carolinas.

Why Villone?

:thumbdown

 

Give the fans one last chance to say good-bye. I don't think AJ's been a model citizen, but anyone who fails to recognize his accomplishments simply was either not here during the rough times, or is just fickle beyond reason. AJ's an ass-hole, but for 7 years, he was our ass-hole. It's sad that he absolutely positively will not be back next year, if he made that final start, the chance remained slim, now it's at none.

 

:notworthy

 

Thats why you are one of 3 great marlin posters on this board.

:thumbdown

 

Give the fans one last chance to say good-bye. I don't think AJ's been a model citizen, but anyone who fails to recognize his accomplishments simply was either not here during the rough times, or is just fickle beyond reason. AJ's an ass-hole, but for 7 years, he was our ass-hole. It's sad that he absolutely positively will not be back next year, if he made that final start, the chance remained slim, now it's at none.

 

 

I was as big a AJ fan as the next last year and before that. But what he did the last few months here in burning bridges with the fans and this latest outburst just pissed me off.

 

If he had done things differently (with what he said to the media) my opinion on him would have been different.

:thumbdown

 

Give the fans one last chance to say good-bye. I don't think AJ's been a model citizen, but anyone who fails to recognize his accomplishments simply was either not here during the rough times, or is just fickle beyond reason. AJ's an ass-hole, but for 7 years, he was our ass-hole. It's sad that he absolutely positively will not be back next year, if he made that final start, the chance remained slim, now it's at none.

 

:notworthy

 

Thats why you are one of 3 great marlin posters on this board.

Hey "Passion" why not get some more lipstick since you have been kissing AJs a@@ now that hes probably leaving to Boston. :lol

:thumbdown

 

Give the fans one last chance to say good-bye. I don't think AJ's been a model citizen, but anyone who fails to recognize his accomplishments simply was either not here during the rough times, or is just fickle beyond reason. AJ's an ass-hole, but for 7 years, he was our ass-hole. It's sad that he absolutely positively will not be back next year, if he made that final start, the chance remained slim, now it's at none.

My sentiments exactly. Really ballsy move by a lame duck manager and the FO, to tell a player who isn't coming back anyways to leave and not start again. For what? What is he going to do, learn his lesson for a different ball club? What do you care?

 

We watched this guy pitched for 6 years and rooted him on when he was having surgery. The very least you could do is let those of us who looked forward to days he started get to say goodbye.

 

God I can't wait for McKeon to go back to the Carolinas.

 

Seriously doubt this was McKeon when yesterday he suggested that AJ would come in and apologize. Not his style but I would say that the Marlins management is not letting the inmates run the asylum

Whoever it was, they and Burnett have a point. The coaching staff has called some very cautious games which can be adopted by the rest of the team. And you can take only so much of someone yelling at you before it loses some of its motivating factor.

 

We have one more week until both A.J. and Jack will leave on their own terms. And none of these will matter any more.

Nothing we can do about it..AJ is gone, debating over it won't bring him back. I for one will root for Josh Johnson...

Whoever it was, they and Burnett have a point. The coaching staff has called some very cautious games which can be adopted by the rest of the team. And you can take only so much of someone yelling at you before it loses some of its motivating factor.

 

You do not know if any of this is true...One named player said this and this is factual.

Define a cautious game?

Yelling at whom and when? Besides Mota, have you seen any confrontations?

 

 

but you are right, it does not matter!