Kaat is a very bright pitching mind and he is right on with his criticism of the Burnett signing as he wrote on Yesnetwork.com:

I know Brian Cashman, like several general managers, have detailed stats on when a pitcher might 'bounce' after a big season. That would be the case with Burnett. Did he just begin to realize his potential last year or was it one of those big seasons in a player's 'walk' year? Burnett logged more innings last season than he ever has in his checkered career. I have said many times I wouldn't give a pitcher, or any player for that matter, the kind of long-term contract they gave Sabathia or Burnett unless the player was a Hall-of-Fame candidate. Sabathia could be, but it's doubtful that Burnett will be one. For me, he hasn't pitched nearly enough innings over a period of years to prove he is a 'work horse'. I feel the Yankees shelled out too much money and security for just one breakout year. They've been burned in the past by these types of decisions (see Carl Pavano and Jaret Wright). I like proven commodities. I'd rather pay for someone who's done it, not for someone I hope will do it.