THE BULLPEN

     The Dark Knight Returns......Batman is coming back to the 'Burgh. No, Christian Bale and company aren't filming another Batman flick in the Steel City. So why all the hoopla? It's because your Pittsburgh Pirates have inked RH AJ Burnett to a 1-year deal for $8.5 million. Can you say "Never say never"? AJ is ready to finish his career with one last hurrah with the Pirates. Bad move or good move? Mrs. Black-N-Gold takes a look....

     Bad move-Well, of course, there is the age thing. AJ isn't getting any younger. He will be 38 years old on Opening Day. AJ's record of 8-18 gave him the most losses in the Majors last season. His 4.59 ERA and 1.41 WHIP were contributing factors in all those losses. He also led MLB with 96 walks issued, averaging 4 BB/9.

      Good move-Well for starters, in 2013 AJ became the first Pirates righthander to record over 200 strikeouts in a season with 209. In 2012 he became the first Pirates pitcher since Todd Ritchie in 1999 to win at least 15 games, going 16-10. In 2012 and 2013 AJ finished with an ERA under 4. He hadn't gone a season under that mark since 2007. At age 37, AJ was still able to log 200+ innings for Philly last year. With a hernia. He's since undergone surgery and is expected to receive a clean bill of health when the Pirates' doctors give him his physical. He's also a fiery competitor that was well-liked in the Pirates clubhouse. Oh, and one more thing....He turned down a $12.75 million option with Philly to have his manager negotiate exclusively with the Pirates. How often do you hear that in the world of sports?

       How does Mrs. Black-N-Gold feel about the move. I guess, "cautiously optimistic" would be the best term. There are still too many unanswered questions: Is it safe to assume that AJ and Pirates manager Clint Hurdle have mended fences since AJ's blowup for not pitching Game 5 of the NLDS in 2013? Was AJ's record last year more of a product of the band box that is Citizen's Bank Park and the fact that Philly played dreadful baseball last year? With AJ's signing and the trade of LH Justin Wilson to the Yanks for C Francisco Cervelli, are the Pirates done for the offseason? They still need a #2 starter (sorry, AJ, that's just not you anymore) and bullpen help. They also have to find depth on the bench and an everyday first baseman. If AJ could talk LH Francisco Liriano and C Russell Martin into coming back, the band would be back together again. Otherwise, continue to work those phones, GM Neal Huntington.

      Some consider AJ's signing a bone thrown to the fans by the Pirates organization to placate fandom's disapproval when Russell Martin signs elsewhere. If you're a glass half-full kind of person, it could be interpreted as the Pirates trying to bring a World Championship back to Pittsburgh. Only time will tell. 140 days until Opening Day. Let's Go Bucs!!!!!