A.J. Healthy, Wealthy and (seemingly) Wise

At the time I drove across the Courtney Campbell Causeway yesterday to Tampa to visit A.J. Burnett at Yankee camp, I didn't know what to expect. His availability to us near the end was sometimes tough last year and sometimes he was reluctant to say anything more than to speak in cliches. Thus, I was shocked yesterday at how cooperative and forthright he was when speaking about his years with the Jays, the fans, the media and his reasons for leaving. Sure it's easy to be gracious when you're guaranteed $82 million for the next five years, but on the other hand, maybe hanging around Doc has really rubbed off on him. He thinks so. Read about it in today's column.

While milling about in the crowded Yankee clubhouse waiting for A.J. to be stretched out by a trainer, I wandered over to say hello to an old familiar face, catcher Kevin Cash, and wish him well. Cash signed with the Yankees in the off-season and will likely play Triple-A with Jorge Posada and Jose Molina in the majors ahead of him. Cash has been with the Jays, the Rays, the Bosox and now the Yankees. He's clearly an AL East kind of guy, missing only the Orioles to complete the sweep. "I'm just looking for a place that I can stay for a while," Cash said of his gypsy-in-knee-savers career.  

Today is the first offical Jays workout for pitchers and catchers. Happy Family Day.

Cheers,

Richard Griffin