Burnett On The Block

[love_that_reefer]

Blue Jays GM J.P. Ricciardi told ESPN.com that the team is willing to entertain trade proposals for A.J. Burnett. There was never any doubt that they would. The Jays know well that Burnett will opt out of his contract if he has a strong 2008. On the other hand, if he gets hurt, then he'll certainly stick around and collect the $24 million he's owed in 2009 and 2010. It's win-win for the right-hander, and the Blue Jays could decide to make the contract someone else's problem if the right offer comes along. Since he has more upside than anyone on the free-agent market, someone could take a chance on him. The Cardinals badly wanted him two years ago and might have signed him then if the Jays hadn't given him the opt-out.

Is he worth $12 million for a possible one season? I don't think so. I don't think he's worth $12 million per anyway. Two seasons in a row he has failed to get 30 starts. Cards will look at him as they will with any available pitcher. Mets should take a look too.

[Halladay_is_God]

TSN : MLB - Canada's Sports Leader

Ricciardi: Burnett not on the market oronto Blue Jays general manager J.P. Ricciardi says starter A.J. Burnett is not on the trading block. An ESPN.com report Tuesday evening implied that the hard-throwing right-hander, who can opt out of his US$55-million, five-year deal after the 2008 season, was on the market. But Ricciardi denied that was the case, telling The Canadian Press from the GMs' meetings in Orlando, Fla., that his plans for Burnett remain unchanged. ''We're not shopping him,'' said Ricciardi. ''We don't want to move Burnett, we want him to help us win next season. But if someone was to wow us with an offer, we'd have to listen.''

didn't feel like creating a new thread