So, A.J. Burnett finally stays off the disabled list for an entire season, and all of the sudden, he is worth millions and millions.

Never mind those 10 trips to the disabled list, or the fact he has pitched 200 innings in a season just three times.

Burnett is the living, breathing definition of a risk.

Some of these people never learn. For example, Yankees general manager Brian Cashman. Has it really been that long, Brian? Have you erased the names of Carl Pavano and Jaret Wright from your memory bank? Are you going down the same road again? Four years ago, you threw nearly $61 million at Pavano and Wright even though both had spent some time on the disabled list. That $61 million bought 25 victories.

Free agent pitchers scare general managers to death because of the injury risk involved. After winning the World Series in 2004, the Red Sox let Pedro Martinez walk because they didn't think he had four more years left in him. The Mets did. The Mets were wrong. Martinez won 32 games during the four years of that $53-million deal.

OK, let's be fair. Burnett is 31 years old and is coming off a season in which he was an absolute horse. He won 18 times, pitched 221 1/3 innings and struck out 231 hitters. If he can come close to repeating those numbers over the next four seasons, he'll be worth whatever the Yankees, Red Sox, Orioles, etc., are willing to pay.

"I characterize his stuff as electric," new Yankees first baseman/outfielder Nick Swisher told reporters this week. "He's one of those guys where it feels like every time you step in the box, it's an uncomfortable at-bat. He would be a huge pickup if we could get him."

If Burnett stays healthy. If, if, if. There are no sure things in free agency. Let the buyer beware. It's just that Burnett's issues are right there in black and white. Two trips to the disabled list in 2007. Three trips in 2006. His 2003 and 2004 seasons were shortened by injuries, too.

If free agency is based on potential, he is a great signing. At his best, Burnett is as good as almost anyone.

Maybe he makes perfect sense for the Yankees, who seemingly have no financial limits. If he gets hurt, they'll simply throw millions at another pitcher next winter. It is important to see Burnett the way the Yankees do. He has as much talent as any pitcher on the open market, and the Yankees have the money. And when the Yankees consider the possibility of moving into new Yankee Stadium with a rotation featuring Ian Kennedy and Phil Hughes, they think anyone who can get them back to the playoffs is worth the price.

Then again, the Yankees have no idea if they'll end up signing CC Sabathia and/or Derek Lowe. It's impossible to know what they're thinking, but they could view Burnett as a fallback position.

The Red Sox reportedly are interested in Burnett as well. They have plenty of money, too, and have seen enough of Burnett to know how well he is capable of pitching. He is 5-0 with a 2.56 ERA in eight starts against them in his career. In 11 career starts against the Yankees, Burnett is 6-3 with a 2.43 ERA. Then again, the Red Sox simply might be attempting to bid up Burnett's price without intending to sign him.

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Say this for Burnett: his timing always has been terrific. Though he has pitched 200 innings just three times, they've come at the right time. The first time was the year he became arbitration eligible. He also surpassed 200 innings the two times he was headed for free agency.

He has made $25 million over the past three seasons and just opted out of a deal that would have paid him $24 million over the next two seasons. He'll probably get $15-$20 million a year for at least three years, perhaps four, depending on how many teams get into the mix.

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In a market that likely will make Sabathia the highest-paid pitcher in history, in a market in which Lowe might be looking to match the seven-year, $126-million contract the Giants gave Barry Zito two years ago, anything is possible.

But before winning 18 games this season, Burnett never had won more than 12 in a season. In three seasons with the Blue Jays he was 38-26.

Burnett could turn out to be a bargain. If he is winning games in October for the Yankees next season, you'll know how it worked out. This free agent market features starting pitchers who are more durable than Burnett, but few who are better. As long as the Yankees know he is a risk.