Boston's reported interest in Burnett is not a comforting thought

Derek Lowe wants to pitch for the Boston Red Sox in 2009, and I think he would fit nicely into the No. 4 spot of the starting rotation. Apparently, Theo Epstein doesn't echo my sentiment. New York Newsday reported yesterday that Boston is interested in A.J. Burnett.

According to Kat O'Brien's article, "The Yankees still are preparing a formal offer for right-handed pitcher A.J. Burnett, a club official said yesterday, but the Red Sox have become serious competitors to land him.

The Red Sox's pursuit of Burnett complicates the Yankees' plans. A source close to Burnett said that a half-dozen teams are in contention for his services: the Yankees, Blue Jays, Red Sox, Braves, Phillies and Orioles. The Red Sox, the source said, have significantly increased their involvement in the pitcher in the past 36 hours and are now "fully engaged."

The Blue Jays already have offered a four-year, $54-million deal to retain Burnett, according to the Toronto Star. The Yankees' offer is expected to top the Blue Jays' in average annual value. However, a source shot down a report that the Yankees would offer five years and $80 million. They will not make an opening bid of more than four years or anywhere near $80 million, the source said."

Later in the article, O'Brien wrote: "Things could get interesting if the Yankees, Red Sox and Blue Jays -- all American League East rivals -- wind up bidding against one another for Burnett. The Yankees and Red Sox, at least, are likely to compete for the services of right-hander Derek Lowe. The Yankees are believed to be poised to make an offer to Lowe, who pitched for the Red Sox for eight seasons."

There is no doubt that the first three pitchers in Boston's rotation - Josh Beckett, Jon Lester and Daisuke Matsuzaka - form a solid nucleus. Tim Wakefield is reliable as a No. 5 starter. However, though some Red Sox fans are comfortable with an insurance policy like Brad Penny or one of Clay Buchholz or Michael Bowden rounding out the rotation, I firmly believe the team needs a durable veteran for the No. 4 spot. Lowe is the answer, not Burnett.

Burnett does have better stuff than Lowe, and he is about four years younger, but Burnett has a history of injuries, thus making even a four-year contract offer risky. I trust Epstein, and for some reason he does not seem fond of bringing Lowe back after letting him walk following the 2004 season, but the idea of Burnett is no more comforting than the thought of relying upon Penny, another former Florida Marlins starter with great stuff but a history of getting hurt.