Blue Jays brace for Burnett's decision
The beginning of baseball's off-season Thursday ushered in the end-game phase in the relationship between the Toronto Blue Jays and potential free agent A.J. Burnett.
The right-hander has two weeks left to opt out of the remaining two years worth $24 million US on the five-year, $55-million US deal he signed in December 2005, and Burnett's agent, Darek Braunecker, indicated a decision would come by Monday.
That's when the general managers' meetings kick off in Dana Point, Calif., and, to do his job, Braunecker said he would need to know by then.
"That would give us time to gather information from clubs that we believe are truly interested in A.J. and that he would have an interest in playing for," Braunecker told ESPN.com.
Burnett, who could command upwards of $15 million US a season for four or five years on the open market, is widely expected to opt for free agency.
He had a career year this season, posting an 18-10 record with a 4.07 earned-run average in 34 starts. He pitched a career-high 221 1/3 innings and struck out 231 batters.
His uncertain future loomed over the club all season and many thought he wouldn't be with the team beyond the July 31 trade deadline.
But his importance grew as he began to fulfil his potential and helped ace Roy Halladay carry the load when injuries struck starters Dustin McGowan and Shaun Marcum.
Those injuries leave the Jays' rotation thin heading into next season, with Halladay and Jesse Litsch the only confirmed starters.
"We've said all along that A.J. is our No. 1 priority and we'd love to keep him here and we think he wants to stay here," Blue Jays general manager J.P. Ricciardi said in an interview.
"We haven't exchanged numbers at all, we're not to that point yet. Nothing's changed along those lines."
'We've had some discussions'
The Blue Jays had hoped to use the month of October to push their case with Burnett while they had an exclusive window with him, but Braunecker said he wouldn't hold talks until his client made the decision to opt out.
Still, Blue Jays interim chief executive officer Paul Beeston met with Burnett and Ricciardi and feels the team has already made a strong pitch.
"We've had some discussions and everything has been positive and upbeat," said Ricciardi. "But where it goes, I can't tell you right now, we don't know."
Burnett would be among the upper-tier of free agent pitchers available, a group headlined by CC Sabathia.
Also up there are Ryan Dempster of Gibsons, B.C., Derek Lowe, Ben Sheets and Jon Garland.
The Blue Jays are believed to be willing to tack two more years to the end of Burnett's contract with a significant raise, essentially giving him a four-year deal.
But Burnett may be able to get five years on the open market and it's not clear if the Blue Jays would be willing to make that commitment again to a pitcher who turns 32 in January.
"I think each guy is different," Ricciardi said. "You take each guy's situation into consideration.
"You decide if five years, four years, three years, two years, one year is the best way to go. We'll do that with this contract also."
The New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox are rumoured to be among the teams with a strong interest in Burnett, while he is said to have an interest in joining the Baltimore Orioles or Washington Nationals, both near his Maryland home.
The St. Louis Cardinals were beaten out by the Blue Jays the last time Burnett was on the open market and could perhaps have an interest in him again.
A wild-card in all that is the trickle-down effect the financial crisis could have on the free-agent market.
Some believe the economy of the game is changing and that even the Yankees, new stadium and all, are feeling the pinch.
If that is indeed the case, the big bucks thrown around in recent winters could be a thing of the past, giving the Blue Jays a better chance at retaining Burnett.
Without Burnett, the Jays will have between $20-$25 million US available on a $100-million US payroll.