THURSDAY, 3:15pm: Blair talked to Jays GM J.P. Ricciardi, who admitted he’s yet to have talks with the Phillies about Burnett. But the Jays are scouting the Phillies and other clubs. Ricciardi talked about improving the team for the future, and doesn’t think Burnett’s poor start last night affects his value.
Blair says the Jays are also getting calls on Matt Stairs.
THURSDAY, 11:29am: Terrible news for the Jays – McGowan has a rotator cuff tear. Meanwhile, Burnett has allowed 19 hits and 15 runs in his last two starts.
WEDNESDAY: The Blue Jays are now 12.5 games out in the AL East and 9.5 games out of the wild card. Baseball Prospectus puts their playoff chances at roughly 1%. GM J.P. Ricciardi admitted yesterday that his team’s playoff chances are "probably not good."
Now comes news that starter Dustin McGowan has been pitching with a sore shoulder for several starts. An MRI is scheduled today. Jeff Blair believes a serious injury to McGowan would impact A.J. Burnett’s availability. I’m not sure exactly what he means by that, but I assume it’d make the Jays more likely to throw in the towel and trade Burnett.
The Phillies seem to be Burnett’s most likely suitor, if they don’t end up getting Erik Bedard. Or maybe the Cardinals will jump into the NL Central arms race and pursue him. The Dodgers are another possibility.
