July 13, 200521 yr Burnett to Jays? By Bob Elliott, Toronto Sun DETROIT -- Will the Blue Jays add A.J. Burnett before the non-waiver trade deadline? Some baseball people say that the Jays are trying to acquire the Florida Marlins right-hander. The game plan all along has been for the Jays to add a player or players who are under contract for 2006. Burnett becomes a free agent two weeks after the World Series ends. The 6-foot-5 strikeout artist does have a relationship with Jays pitching coach Brad Arnsberg, who held the same position with the Marlins. The Arnsberg relationship with his former pitcher was supposed to be a reason why the Jays would sign free-agent righty Matt Clement after the 2004 season. Clement did what most people would do and went to the highest bidder, the Boston Red Sox, earning a berth in last night's all-star game. The Jays could use the final 2 1/2 months of the season to sell Burnett on pitching in Toronto and signing a long term as they do have the money. The Marlins are looking for pitching help and might take either lefty Ted Lilly or right-hander David Bush, who is now at triple-A Syracuse after being demoted. Another possibility might be moving closer Miguel Batista. Initially the Jays were not interested in giving up a player or players for someone they could sign in four months as a free agent. However, Roy Halladay breaking his left leg and missing at least a month may have changed matters. Burnett was 7-7 with a 3.68 earned run average in 2004 for the Marlins. In 18 starts he walked 38 and struck out 113. This season, Burnett, 28, is 5-5 in 17 starts with a 3.33 ERA. He has walked 40 and fanned 111 in 113 2/3 innings. Going after Burnett makes sense as the Jays chased right-hander Ben Sheets long and hard before the Milwaukee Brewers signed him to a long-term contract. http://torontosun.com/Sports/Baseball/2005...129458-sun.html
July 13, 200521 yr its sad. i understand getting the fat contract but i would much rather take a smaller amount of money to stay in south florida. hmmm canada or sunny south florida. gee i dont know.
July 13, 200521 yr you guys know that Bautista is there closer right? if they acquire AJ, we could see a package of Chacin and League
July 13, 200521 yr you guys know that Bautista is there closer right? if they acquire AJ, we could see a package of Chacin and League 853797[/snapback] now you are talking :thumbup
July 13, 200521 yr for Chacin, Batista and Cattalanotto... in a word.... YES! 853846[/snapback] again, why do they move their closer if they are trading for Burnett to stay in contention?
July 13, 200521 yr for Chacin, Batista and Cattalanotto... in a word.... YES! 853846[/snapback] again, why do they move their closer if they are trading for Burnett to stay in contention? 853850[/snapback] I doubt they have plans on staying in contention this year, they have a shot yes but it is a very, very long shot. This deal would get done only if Burnett would sign longterm and give the Jays a shot at next year and/or the year after. They're piecing things together slowly. One big bat to go along with Burnett and I think they have something. But how about a Halladay - Burnett combo. I feel bad for the AL East all of a sudden.
July 13, 200521 yr you guys know that Bautista is there closer right? if they acquire AJ, we could see a package of Chacin and League 853797[/snapback] Batista use to be a starter. He's just in the closer role right now. I don't really think a trade with Jays is gonna happen, but if it did, we should definately try to get our hands on Batista.
July 13, 200521 yr for Chacin, Batista and Cattalanotto... in a word.... YES! 853846[/snapback] again, why do they move their closer if they are trading for Burnett to stay in contention? 853850[/snapback] I doubt they have plans on staying in contention this year, they have a shot yes but it is a very, very long shot. This deal would get done only if Burnett would sign longterm and give the Jays a shot at next year and/or the year after. They're piecing things together slowly. One big bat to go along with Burnett and I think they have something. But how about a Halladay - Burnett combo. I feel bad for the AL East all of a sudden. 853870[/snapback] i agree....let's face it, if AJ becomes a true free agent at the end of this year, there is no WAY he signs with the Blue Jays. with the pull and payroll that the Yanks and Sox have, the Jays know this is their shot to get a guy who should be the top free agent pitcher on the market. I think it's a sharp move on their part - if they ever really want to compete with the Yanks and the Sox for any free agents, this is what they'll have to do.
July 13, 200521 yr All this Blue Jays talk is useless -- the only way the Jays trade for Burnett is if they ink him long term. You guys know there is no way Burnett signs long term without testing the market. And let's be honest, the price for a 3 month rental of an oft injured and selfish player isn't Cattalanatto, Bautista, and Chacin or even just Chacin or Bautista one for one. Unless a miracle happens and Steve Phillips or Jim Duquette take over as GM for some team, AJ isn't going to bring back anything near what you guys expect.
July 13, 200521 yr isnt Arnsberg with the Blue Jays? that could be a reason AJ might sign with them 853932[/snapback] Yes I think that's why this deal may have a possibility
July 13, 200521 yr isnt Arnsberg with the Blue Jays? that could be a reason AJ might sign with them 853932[/snapback] Yeah, he is - which is part of the reason Matt Clement gave them serious consideration last offseason, too.
July 13, 200521 yr we really should combine the three AJ burnet strings to one and pin them at the top right now.
July 13, 200521 yr gimme Chacin, Hillenbrand....that's it. 854071[/snapback] Yeah I could live with that, but I don't think they are going to go for it.
July 13, 200521 yr I'll give you a name that hasn't been mentioned Veron Wells, Wells had his best years playing along side Carlos some have question if he'll ever be a great player without Carlos...just a thought
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.