Reports: Phillies Sign AJ Burnett, One-Year, $16-Million

The Phillies rotation just got an upgrade.

According to reports, the Phillies have signed AJ Burnett to a one year deal.  Burnett signed with the Phillies after being courted by the Nationals, Orioles, and Pirates.

Jon Heyman of CBS Sports reports the Pirates offered Burnett $12 million to return for 2014.

(Listen to ESPN's MLB Insider Keith Law discuss the Burnett deal)

FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal hears that it's a one-year, $16 million deal, confirming a report from Hayden Balgavy of KTHV in Little Rock, Arkansas - pretty much blowing the Pirates offer out-of-the-water.

(Listen to Phillies broadcaster Jamie Moyer discuss the Burnett deal with Mike Gill)

According to Todd Zolecki of MLB.com, Burnett's deal with the Phillies includes a mutual option for the 2015 season.

The timing is perfect as Cole Hamels announced today that he is behind schedule and will miss his projected opening day start.

Burnett, 37, was 10-11 last season with a 3.30 ERA logging just over 190 innings pitched.

The signing of Burnett will now figure to push Kyle Kendrick to the fourth starting position with a competition likely for the fifth starter including: Roberto Hernandez, Johnathan Pettibone and Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez.

Pitchers and catchers reported today for workouts in Clearwater, FL.