Jays' Plans Start With Burnett

If Burnett doesnt sign, the jays will have to pick up someone. Id be ok with Lowe or Dempster but theyd need another guy to replace Marcum for the year. Maybe Garland?

Halladay, McGowan, Litsch, Burnett OR free agent and then who? Purcey has potential but he hasnt earned a rotation spot.

If they could retain Burnett I would be ok with Purcey but if not, then they should grab Lowe or Dempster and a type B starter like Garland.

I think Burnett is in line for more than 4/60. Doesn't it just make too much sense? 5/80 seems like the perfect rate to overpay.

Anybody have any thoughts on Pedro? Might be a decent flier at a decent price. Already pitched in AL East and if healthy (yes I know "if") he still throws the ball well. I'd rather take the risk on Pedro and a Garland than hit up Burnett, Dempster, Lowe for too much money and too long of term.

i wouldnt go much higher $$ wise on Burnett. if he takes that offer then great.. but if he doesnt then forget the other free agent SP, they arnt worth the money they will get. i dont think Burnett has any interest in coming back to Toronto anyway, but ofcorse hes not going to admit that because he wants the Jays in there bidding to drive up his price.
the Jays dont NEED to spend that much money on a free agent just to fill out the rotation for 2009.
if the Jays cant sign Burnett, they can wait until late in the offseason to see what pitchers are left, and then sign them cheap to give them a chance. wasnt it just last offseason Lohse couldnt find an offer he liked before taking one year with St.Louis?
if the Jays want to remotely contend in 2009 the best move might be to trade for SP instead of overpaying for the likes of Dempster and Lowe. Dempster is a mess waiting to happen, and Lowe's numbers wernt that impressive away from Dodgers Stadium.

What's the deal with Bedard? Has he been non-tendered by the Mariners? If not, the Jays should go for him. He probably won't cost too much, as he had a terrible year, and other than 2007, he hasn't been that great. But he did show he can play in the AL East, plus he's also Canadian, so maybe there is something there.

I don't like the idea of Dempster being signed, as he's not an AL-type pitcher. He's going to be serving a lot of hits and homers pitching in the AL East.

I think a Giambi signing would be interesting, as he has pretty decent OBP, and he obviously has the power. But I think he could end up back in Oakland.

I like the Pedro Martinez idea, as he was dominant the last time he played in the AL East. But you need to remember that he's a few years older, and it's not like he did anything in his 4 years at New York, other than that first year in '05. He's pretty risky.

Definitely no on Garland. I'm sure Yankee and BoSox fans would be salivating from the thought of having to hit against Garland whenever he faces them.

I like the Mark Prior idea, but I think he would rather stay in the West Coast than come to the East Coast. Plus, I think the Padres will elect to keep him, as he won't cost them much.

I think they should look into Sheets. Brad Arnsberg is one of the best pitching coaches in the league, and maybe he can find a way to keep him healthy for a whole year. Sheets is ace material, and his price should have dropped after his elbow injury at the end of the season.

He would laugh at a 4/60 offer. That's not even close to enough to make him leave Toronto.

I really hope the Yankees don't sign Burnett, because it would cost the Jays a first round pick which is likely to go to a higher ranked FA.