Starting pitcher A.J. Burnett has rejoined the Pittsburgh Pirates on a one-year, $8.5 million contract in hopes of jumping back into the playoffs. Tampa Bay Rays starter Jeremy Hellickson was traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks for two prospects.
After turning down his $12.75 million player option with the rebuilding Philadelphia Phillies, Burnett signed for less with Pittsburgh to join a playoff contending team. The Phillies have countless roster issues and are almost guaranteed to miss the playoffs in 2015, while the Pirates have made the postseason the past two seasons after failing to make it beyond the regular season for 20 years.
Burnett was one of those players who helped Pittsburgh end their 20-year postseason drought in 2013. After the New York Yankees traded him to the Pirates prior to the 2012 season, Burnett went 26-21 with a 3.94 ERA with Pittsburgh. When he departed for Philadelphia last season he experienced a much tougher season, during which he compiled an 8-18 record with a 4.59 ERA and suffered career worsts in losses (18) and earned runs (109).
In the American League, the Tampa Bay Rays are making moves after the departures of executive Andrew Friedman and manager Joe Maddon. The team traded starting pitcher Jeremy Hellickson to the Arizona Diamondbacks, something that was speculated to occur at some point during this offseason. The Rays have no need for the young right-hander because their rotation is set with Alex Cobb, Matt Moore, Chris Archer, Jake Odorizzi and Drew Smyly.
The 27-year-old Hellickson was named the AL Rookie of the Year in 2011 when he amassed a 13-10 record with a 2.95 ERA in 29 starts. However, since then he's just 23-26 with a 4.19 ERA in 75 starts. His 2014 campaign was shortened due to elbow surgery. The Rays received two prospects in the trade with Arizona - infielder Andrew Velazquez and outfielder Justin Williams.
Velazquez, 20, batted .290 with 94 runs scored and 50 stolen based on Class-A South Bend while Williams, 19, batted .351 with 47 runs scored, four home runs and 46 RBIs in 74 games between rookie league Missoula and Class-A South Bend.
It seems as if the departure of Friedman hasn't affected the Rays' ability to scout prospects.