Florida Marlins pitcher A.J. Burnett

apologized Tuesday for the comments that led to his

banishment, and with free agency looming, his agent conceded

the episode could be costly.

 

Manager Jack McKeon told Burnett 30 minutes before

Monday's game to leave. The right-hander will continue to be

paid but won't be with the Marlins the final week of the

season.

 

The move came after Burnett lost his sixth decision in a

row Sunday, then said the Marlins play scared because McKeon

and his staff are too negative.

 

??I have always been a very passionate player and

person,'' Burnett said in a statement Tuesday released by

agent Darek Braunecker. ??I often wear my emotions on my

sleeve, sometimes for better, sometimes for worse. I hope

that my teammates always respect that of me, as I trust they

know my commitment to winning.

 

??For those I've offended, I offer my most sincere

apologies.''

 

Burnett's contract expires this week, and general manager

Admin Beinfest said the Marlins won't attempt to re-sign him.

That was unlikely to happen anyway, given Florida's financial

constraints and the market for Burnett.

 

He might be the top pitcher available ? or perhaps not,

given his recent losing streak and outburst.

 

??He made a decision that's probably a bad decision, and

he's feeling the repercussions of making the statement when

he did,'' Braunecker said.

 

??I'm not naive that the statement or his performance in

the past 30 days aren't going to be an issue. He's going to

have to answer those questions face to face with his

potential suitors. We'll be prepared to address it, and it'll

all work out.''

 

The 28-year-old Burnett has long been regarded as an

underachiever. He won seven consecutive starts in July and

August but pitched poorly during the heat of the playoff race

and finished 12-12 with a 3.44 ERA. His most recent win came

Aug. 19.

 

He missed almost all of the 2003 season after

reconstructive elbow surgery, and his career record is a

modest 49-50, all with Florida. But he's one of the few

pitchers with a 98-mph fastball and a no-hitter on his

resume.

 

??You just hope in the next situation, there's a better

working relationship,'' Braunecker said.

 

Burnett chafed all season at McKeon's gruff personality

and conservative game strategy, but waited until the Marlins

were virtually eliminated from playoff contention to sound

off.

 

??It's easy to say stuff like that when there's only a

week to go in the season,'' teammate Todd Jones said.

??A.J.'s a free spirit. He's got to live with his comments.''

 

Burnett was acquired by the Marlins in 1998 and made his

major league debut the following season.

 

??He was here for so long, it's a shame this is how it has

to end,'' teammate Josh Beckett said. ??Obviously something

was really bugging him.''

 

Rookie Josh Johnson, a candidate for the 2006 rotation,

will take Burnett's turn Friday against Atlanta. Johnson

threw four shutout innings against Saturday against the

Braves.

 

 

 

Too late buddy, you messed up and the team will not take you back you will not pass go and you will not collect your $50,000 bonus.....have a fun offseason and have fun at the bank collecting New York Yankee money next year since they are the only team that will overpay for a guy that was at best a No. 3 starter here in Florida behind Willis and Beckett

This was obviously coming. His agent needs to fix his image up as much as possible...

This was obviously coming. His agent needs to fix his image up as much as possible...

 

 

Yup, this isn't at all surprising.

I didn't say it in the other thread but I am so glad that the FO basically ended his Marlins career besides the paycheck. Thank god. Burnett's legacy won't be the no hitter but his lack of fulfillment of his potential.

We got our wish Josh Johnson is starting.

We got our wish Josh Johnson is starting.

 

 

:notworthy

Sucks for you Allan.

 

THATS RIGHT, AJ, I called you Allan, your first name.

 

Sucks to be you.

Note to AJ: To improve your FA worth, you go out and pitch like an ace down the stretch (like Pavs) and just remain positive, you don't alienate your entire franchise and tank it during the most important final two months of your professional career.

"He was here for so long, it's a shame this is how it has

to end,'' teammate Josh Beckett said.

 

Is it just me, or does it seem that Beckett is saying all the right things this year?

 

Nice to see that Beckett has stepped up both as a player and as a leader.

Too late buddy, you messed up and the team will not take you back you will not pass go

 

 

 

he might not pass go but he's sitting on park place...

*waits for Burnett defenders to enter thread and rip everybody for saying AJ is only doing this to improve his image for free agency*

These comments were written by AJs agent as an attempt to salvage what he could of his commission.

To little, to late, thats what I say.

By the way everyone.... keep in mind if AJ wasn't a free agent next season I doubt any of this happens.

 

If they could get him cheap for another season they'd keep him, warts and all.

 

Although you could argue he wouldn't have said the comments if he knew he was going to be around another year...

 

At least he offered an apology, albeit a written one.

TO LITTLE TO LATE!! DONT PISS ME OFF GRANDPA!!

Meh... the damage is done. Nothing you can do now, AJ.

These comments were written by AJs agent as an attempt to salvage what he could of his commission.

To AJ: NEVER apologize for being right. When I read "We played scared, We managed scared and We coached scared", I realized that sums up what I had witnessed watching the Marlins play all year. Exactly. What the Marlins did by "banishing" Burnett before the season was over was screw themselves and the other players. Just watching tonight's game made that evident. Poor Dontrelle. His fate tonight was made by none other than Beinfest and Company.

What they should have done was just ignored the comments and let him stew on the bench.

AJ was exactly right...he came out and said what i am sure that other players had been dying to say, he just had the balls to say it. AJ was great and he will be great elsewhere, he criticized an already heavily scrutinized coaching staff, and every word he said was true.I am not anti-marlins, on the other hand i am a huge marlin fan, but i agree with every word AJ said. The marlins did not need to drop him with 4 games left, that is highly unessecary, they should have skipped his last start, but no they had to make an example to scare everyone else into submission.

thats my two cents

"He was here for so long, it's a shame this is how it has

to end,'' teammate Josh Beckett said.

 

Is it just me, or does it seem that Beckett is saying all the right things this year?

 

Nice to see that Beckett has stepped up both as a player and as a leader.

 

In my opinion Big Tex is the unquestioned leader of this team. It seems like, over the last two seasons, all the fire goes away when he went down with a blister, or strained back. And the only time it comes back is when D-Train is on the hill. I like how he's stepped up and actually accepted the role of leader, but I also dont want that cocky arrogant kid that led us to the WS to completely go away either. He has a swagger that not many pitchers, espicially of his age, have.

Aj spoke the truth, guys.

He's an emotional guy.. we've seen both sides of him. Maybe he should have kept his mouth shut, but I respect him for speaking his mind.

Damage control.

I didn't say it in the other thread but I am so glad that the FO basically ended his Marlins career besides the paycheck. Thank god. Burnett's legacy won't be the no hitter but his lack of fulfillment of his potential.

 

 

Yep. From the "biggest game of my career" to this, his image is pretty much down the toilet no matter what kind of talent he has.

A.J. Burnett has expressed an interest in pitching for the Washington Nationals, but Nationals officials will not pursue Burnett because of his blow-up with the Marlins that led to his dismissal from the team Monday.

-- Palm Beach Post

 

Looks like his attitude is already costing him. Looks like the Nats dont respect him as much as he respects them.

 

This could just be talk to keep other teams away.

A.J. Burnett has expressed an interest in pitching for the Washington Nationals, but Nationals officials will not pursue Burnett because of his blow-up with the Marlins that led to his dismissal from the team Monday.

-- Palm Beach Post

 

Looks like his attitude is already costing him. Looks like the Nats dont respect him as much as he respects them.

 

This could just be talk to keep other teams away.

 

Maybe this Nationals front-office won't but a new ownership group is coming in...just keep that in mind.