MLB - Sports Rumors

Tue Nov 25, 2008 10:08 am EST

Orioles join in chase for A.J. Burnett

By Joe Zedalis

A.J. Burnett

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Darek Braunecker, representative for free agent A.J. Burnett, told the Baltimore Sun Monday that the Baltimore Orioles are now one of six teams firmly in the mix for the right-hander's services.

Burnett, 18-10 for the Jays last season and arguably the best pitcher in the marketplace behind CC Sabathia, lives in nearby Monkton, Md.

"There is sincere and mutual interest (with the Orioles)," Braunecker is quoted as saying. "We're not here to waste people's time or our time. We don't need to create a false market for A.J. Burnett."

Also in the hunt are the Phillies, Braves, Red Sox, Yankees (whom the New York Post suggests are preparing a five-year offer for something like $80 million) and the Jays.

Burnett opted out of the final two years of his Toronto contract, leaving $24 million (all figures U.S.) on the table. The Jays have reportedly offered a new four-year deal for $54 million, but GM J.P. Ricciardi says he's made no formal offer.

Source: Toronto StarNew Window

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61 Comments

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  1. davfied
    1. Posted by davfied Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:37 pm EDT

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    #1: Baltimore won't come close to contract demands.
    #2: Their owner is on drugs to even think so.
    #3: He wants to play for a contender which description Baltimore hardly fits.
  2. Rob
    2. Posted by Rob Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:45 pm EDT

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    offer 5 years 76 million and he takes it because he'd rather be here than ny
  3. dchafe
    3. Posted by dchafe Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:39 pm EDT

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    Burnett is the classic case of a guy playing out of his mind in his contract year. Once he signs on the dotted line, he'll be right back to the inconsistent middle of the rotation pitcher that he always was.
  4. Danny T
    4. Posted by Danny T Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:08 pm EDT

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    #1 He is too young. Baltimore goes for the 35 year and over crowd.
    #2 Angelos normally offers $15 per hour. He might up the ante to $16 for Burnett
    #3 Why should Angelos pay for Burnett. Let Boston or New York pay for him being that Baltimore is New York/Boston south. Our stadium is a sale out of Yankees/Sox fans when they play here.
  5. Daniel V
    5. Posted by Daniel V Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:52 pm EDT

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    Baltimore won't match the Yanks' offer, so I think it's just a matter of time before he signs with the Yanks. Burnett wants the $$, he doesn't care about where he plays, and the Yanks will give him that $$. Buyer beware with this guy. When he's healthy, he's great. But, since his rookie year of 1999, he has only 3 seasons of 230 or more starts. Not sure that's worth 5 years at $80 million.
  6. A.F.
    6. Posted by A.F. Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:06 pm EDT

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    Burnett will have 3 great starts wherever he goes... that would be 3 more than any oriole pitcher last year. I say go for it Baltimore, 3 quarters of million dollars for a few good starts in this economy? pshh chum-change right?
  7. Daniel V
    7. Posted by Daniel V Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:52 pm EDT

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    30 starts, my bad...lol!
  8. davfied
    8. Posted by davfied Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:37 pm EDT

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    Danny T,
    That is not only in Baltimore but everywhere in the league except Tampa. Almost though. Angelos has ruined the entire franchise.
  9. scott
    9. Posted by scott Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:32 pm EDT

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    Dav, The owner is on drugs? Will he share? Is it raining up your way?
  10. White Squirrel
    10. Posted by White Squirrel Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:25 pm EDT

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    Number 5...angelos pays 11$ an hour
  11. Jackie2step
    11. Posted by Jackie2step Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:41 pm EDT

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    this is sooooo orioles. what would we do w/ one superstar? remeber tejada? build the team from the ground up, develop pitching, and then make moves.
  12. Alba66
    12. Posted by Alba66 Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:37 pm EDT

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    Burnett is the EXACT WRONG type of free agent pitcher that Baltimore should be targetting. The O's are not contenders for at least 2 years - no need to commit to a long term injury risk pitcher (albeit one with a very nice high side) now when you can just as easily spend that money on the market next year or the following. That said, the O's do need to sign some innings eaters to alleviate the burden on the bullpen and allow our younger guys a little more time to mature rather than getting clobbered at the ML level. I think a deal with Paul Byrd or similar should be the guys that Baltimore targets, not Burnett. However, if the O's feel compelled to spend big on a free agent, they should target Derek Lowe given that his sinker will keep the ball within Camden Yards' cozy confines, he doesn't walk guys and he can be counted on for 200+ IP per year.
  13. ravenous defense
    13. Posted by ravenous defense Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:54 pm EDT

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    I'm not totally sold on Burnett, but I think he would be a good addition behind Guthrie and he is definetly better than anything else we have as a starter. My hopes are high for this offseason, with Tex, Burnett, and Izturis, who I believe would be a good addition, but I doubt it will ever happen. The O's should keep Weiters in AAA for the first month to avoid an early arbitration and hopefully some of those young arms turn into solid starters.
  14. scott
    14. Posted by scott Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:32 pm EDT

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    Jackie, you're right. I think the O's are more than 1 player away from being good. They sound likethey need to bite the bullet and say, we're going to the 3 or 4 year plan. Get a good core of young kids then in a couple years bring in a FA or 2.
  15. 3ill
    15. Posted by 3ill Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:47 pm EDT

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    #1 Burnett likes the Orioles because he lives here. The Jays offered 4yrs.-54 mil. so the O's should offer 5yrs.-68mil. or slightly increase Jays at 4yrs-56
  16. 3ill
    16. Posted by 3ill Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:47 pm EDT

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    #1 Burnett likes the Orioles because he lives here. The Jays offered 4yrs.-54 mil. so the O's should offer 5yrs.-68mil. or slightly increase Jays at 4yrs-56 mil.
  17. MattM
    17. Posted by MattM Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:29 pm EDT

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    So there plan is to pray that all free agents are from Maryland so they dont have to pay as much lol.
    They could live at the stadium, Tex and Burnett will never sign with the Orioles.
  18. 3ill
    18. Posted by 3ill Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:47 pm EDT

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    I keep hearing these so called baseball fans saying "do not spend" because you are 2-3 yrs. away from contention. However if you add a couple of stars and young players develope fast or veterans have career years you land in the playoffs sooner than later.
  19. Alba66
    19. Posted by Alba66 Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:37 pm EDT

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    If I were the O's, I would target Paul Byrd and Jon Lieber to provide innings near the top of the rotation. If they get really desparate, I would look at Ponson - although that may not play particularly well in Baltimore from a PR standpoint.
    I also think that rather than spend $80 million on Burnett, they should spend a small fraction of that amount and try to catch lightening in a bottle with one of the litany of high-upside, HUGE injury risk starters available. I think that this group would include Pedro Martinez, Bartolo Colon, Freddie Garcia, Mark Prior, Mark Mulder, Carl Pavano and Matt Clement (and maybe just for kicks, Kris Benson). The O's can essentially offer these guys a guaranteed opportunity to showcase their talents at the major league level, which a lot of teams cannot offer as they have pennant races to be concerned with. Also, Baltimore has a very solid defense and a great offense which should offer them some room for error. If they succeed, you have the inside track to lock them up for a few years, or you trade them mid-year for prospects. If they don't pan out, let them go. No harm, no foul. The O's can finish in last with or without them...
    Just what I would do if I were the O's GM...
  20. fifa98
    20. Posted by fifa98 Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:23 pm EDT

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    the orioles have a very interesting philosophy regarding free agents and rebuilding
  21. scott
    21. Posted by scott Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:32 pm EDT

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    Will, I woun't argue the point, but look at what A-Rod did for the Rangers, not a whole lot. Everyone else doesn't always just play better because they bring in a star.
  22. ravenous defense
    22. Posted by ravenous defense Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:54 pm EDT

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    Yea, that would be a good idea. Let's sign Ponson, who is currently suing us, and allow him to remind us all of the fact that he can't pitch to save his life.
  23. Alba66
    23. Posted by Alba66 Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:37 pm EDT

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    fifa98- what exactly is their philosophy??!?!?!
    For the life of me, I cannot figure it out.
    Texiera makes sense to try to woo - but they have no shot.
    Burnett doesn't even make sense...
  24. The Real Deal
    24. Posted by The Real Deal Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:08 pm EDT

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    Cmon in Baltimore, the water's fine.
  25. DDay
    25. Posted by DDay Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:45 pm EDT

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    This off season is going so slow!!! Can someone sign already!!! Come on!!! It has been all Affeldt and a Swisher Trade. Spring Training is just 4 months away!!!

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