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Arnsberg Comments On Burnett
Blue Jays pitching coach Brad Arnsberg was a crucial factor in A.J. Burnett signing with the Blue Jays back in 2005 (that, and the money). Arnsberg had been Burnett's pitching coach in Florida.
Burnett has two years and $24MM left on his contract, but he has the right to opt out after the season and become a free agent. The FAN 590's Jerry Howarth recently spoke to Arnsberg about Burnett. Arnsberg's heart says Burnett will stay in Toronto. Burnett's wife loves it there. Arnsberg had multiple heart-to-heart conversations with Burnett discussing the pitcher's future, and leans toward Burnett returning. Arnsberg speculates that it could take another year on the contract to bring him back.
Burnett's had a fine season, tying his career high with 32 starts. He's also established a career best with 214 strikeouts. He leads all of MLB with 3388 pitches thrown, but has not reached 120 pitches in any start. He could be looking at four years and $60MM on the free agent market, possibly more.
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If it's any help, it seems like Halladay and Burnett are joined at the hip.
I could imagine Halladay could convince AJ to take less money to stay somehow.
Posted by: achengy | September 14, 2008 at 04:40 PM
If this holds true, I would gain a lot of respect for Burnett. Not many pitchers become franchise players these days. Those you might expect to always escape for more money. Even Pettite was persuaded to leave the Yankees and join the Astros for a bit. IF and this is a big IF Burnett and Halladay ARE joined at the hip, the AL East is looking to have a 4th contender for years to come.
Posted by: Santana/Beckett FTW | September 14, 2008 at 07:23 PM
Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't there a thread on here like a month ago saying Halladay was unhappy in Toronto?
Posted by: Sesshomaru | September 14, 2008 at 08:51 PM
"Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't there a thread on here like a month ago saying Halladay was unhappy in Toronto?"
That was blown wayyy out of proportion. Halladay was just frustrated that this was another failed season, yet again. From that, everybody started saying that Halladay wanted out of Toronto. He just wants to win, like most players.
As a Jays fan, I would like to see Burnett return... but both Burnett and his agent would be stupid if they didn't test the FA market. But stupid or not, if Burnett doesn't opt out and just reconfigures his current contract a bit to stay on with the Jays (like adding another year, and/or a couple million dollars), that'd be some nice loyalty. I can respect a stupid but loyal dude, hehe.
Posted by: TheMainEvent | September 14, 2008 at 09:11 PM
It's been said several times by Halladay that he would like to spend his entire career in Toronto and the Jays have already mentioned that extending him is a top priority this offseason.
Posted by: Grant77 | September 14, 2008 at 10:27 PM
If the Blue Jays could get some hitting...
If Burnett and Halladay are joined at the hip and Burnett's wife likes Toronto, I could really easily see a "sacrifice money for security" move.
Posted by: melonis rex | September 15, 2008 at 08:42 AM
Have I missed something? Halladay and Burnett have been pitching side by side for 3 years now. Have the Jays been anything other than an after-thought in the AL East during those years?
Extending Burnett for more money and more years sounds like a continuation of the same process (albeit one that is for additional dollars and includes now older pitchers).
Finally, have the Jays really been getting their money's worth with AJ? Are Jays fans going to continue to be thrilled with 150IP, an high 3's, low 4's ERA for $15m/year?
Posted by: bjsguess | September 15, 2008 at 10:35 AM
If the jays get the runs they need they can be right their with the sox and Yanks o yea and whats that team the rays or something.AJ is a rrrrrrrrreal good pitcher.If the Jays pitchers are healthy their the best in baseball or at the very least the AL.If they could have a rotation of#1 Halladay #2AJ#3Dustin#4Marcum#5Litsch/Jannsonand a lineup of #1 RF Rios
#2 2b Inglett
#3 CF Wells
#4 DH Big Bat?
#5 LF Lind
#6 1b Overbay
#7 ss Hill
#8 3B Rolen
#9 Jonny Mac
Spend all the Money an Manny I mean on that bat.
Posted by: jaysfan | September 15, 2008 at 05:04 PM