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Blue Jays To Offer Burnett Four-Year Deal

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According to the Toronto Star’s Cathal Kelly, the Blue Jays are preparing to offer a new four-year deal to staff ace A.J. Burnett.

The new deal would add two years and $30MM to Burnett’s existing contract, which still has two years left. The contract would total $54MM and it would increase his salary to $15MM per year by 2011-2012.

"I think that’s probably a fair number," a source close to the negotiations told Kelly. "I think that’s where it will end up."

Burnett cannot opt out of his current deal until ten days after the World Series ends, which means the Jays have until the end of October to re-sign him before he gets to hear any other offers.

Alejandro A. Leal writes for UmpBump.com and can be reached here: alexo05 [at] umpbump (dot) com.

Rays’ Long Term Plans Not Altered By Surprising Season

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Tampa Bay Senior VP Gerry Hunsicker called in to Eric Sanlnocencio’s Baseball Digest Daily internet radio show, some highlights:

On working with Executive VP of Baseball Operations, Andrew Friedman on personnel decisions and player acquisitions:

Work hand in hand, whilst allowing him to have space and the ability to make decisions.

Has the team’s success this year alter the long term plan?

Players might have changed, but the plan itself hasn’t changed. They wanted to form a core group of young, talented players, that would be the foundation. Also build a sound team of scouts and player development system.

"We’ve always had the commitment from [Rays owner] Stu Sternberg that if and when the opportunities presented themselves, and it made good sound, both business and baseball sense, to increase the payroll, that he would be there for us. And so far that has happened."

On the the Jason Bartlett and Matt Garza for Delmon Young trade:

It came together rather quickly. Bill Smith had taken over as Twins GM over Terry Ryan. That usually means is more difficult to trade. New man trying to get a handle. Smith was with the Twins for a while. Good knowledge with what he had and he wanted to do. The Rays was set on acquiring both players and thus were able to give up Young.

Alejandro A. Leal writes for UmpBump.com and can be reached here: alexo05 (at) umpbump (dot) com.

Bradley Wants Long Term Contract

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The often, uhm, misunderstood Milton Bradley rarely speaks to the press, but in a recent exchange with Drew Davison of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, the Rangers outfielder outlined how he expects his contract situation to work out this offseason.

Bradley feels his offsensive production this year warrants a long-term deal, something the Rangers haven’t offered him (yet), and as such, he sees the possibility of returning to the team at 50-50.

"I just know I deserve to quit getting [stuck] with these one-year deals. I need to have a long-term contract. I’m not just a rent-a-player for one year. I’m looking for fair value. I’m one of the better hitters in the game, and .320 hitters with .440 on-base percentages don’t grow on trees, so you need to take advantage of it when you got it."

For the record, Rangers assitant general manager Thad Levine told Davison the team will negotiate with Bradley’s agent, but they’ll keep all negotiation discussions internal.

Alejandro A. Leal writes for UmpBump.com and can be reached here: alexo05 (at) umpbump (dot) com.

Orioles To Explore Extensions For Roberts, Markakis

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In what the Baltimore Sun is calling a pivotal offseason, Orioles president of baseball operations, Andy MacPhail, said the team will initiate contract extension talks with the agents of second baseman Brian Roberts and outfielder Nick Markakis.

Roberts is eligible for free-agency after next season, and the Orioles had brief discussions with Jamie Murphy, Markakis’ agent, during the All-Star game, but talks quickly ceased due to neither party being able to reach any common ground.

Roberts has been linked to several trade talks in the past, but he made no secret of the fact that he’d like to stay with the O’s:

"I’ve always enjoyed Baltimore. I like playing here," Roberts told the Sun. "It’s something that we’ll have to sit down and look at this winter. If the opportunity arises, I’ll sit down with the Orioles or my agent or my family or whoever and try to figure out the best thing to do. I just have trouble looking at it right now. I’m just trying to finish the season, and there’s nothing really on the table to talk about it. But I enjoy being here. It’s something that I’d definitely consider."

Markakis is considered the cornerstone of the Orioles’ rebuilding plans.

Alejandro A. Leal writes for UmpBump.com and can be reached here: alexo05 (at) umpbump (dot) com.

Odds And Ends: Thomas, Garland, Cabrera

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Some links to get the thread going. I’ll add more if anything interesting hits the wires:

  • Frank Thomas’ quadriceps injury is not as severe as previously thought, and he plans to play in 2009. Thomas, 40, is tied with Willie McCovey and Ted Williams for 18th place in the all-time home run list, with 521.
  • Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com takes a look back at the Jon Garland for Orlando Cabrera deal and concludes that, what seemed like an unnecessary move for the Halos then, looks more like a "stroke of genius by general manager Tony Reagins."
  • Rays pitching phenom David Price will join the team’s bullpen today.

Alejandro A. Leal writes for UmpBump.com. Comments? Rumors? Ideas? alexo05 (at) umpbump (dot) com.

Odds And Ends: Bradley, Rodriguez

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Some links this Saturday morning; I’ll add more to the list as the day’s news progresses.

Alejandro A. Leal writes for UmpBump.com. Comments? Rumors? alexo05 (at) umpbump (dot) com

D-Backs, Angels Interested In Eckstein

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The Angels have been in pursuit of infield depth this week, and were rumored to be finalizing a deal with the Blue Jays for veteran shortstop and 2006 World Series MVP, David Eckstein until a "mystery" team entered the running.

Ken Rosenthal is now reporting that the mystery team is the Arizona Diamondbacks. Both teams are looking to finalize the deal before Sunday’s deadline for setting post-season rosters.

The Angels would mainly use Eckstein as a backup, but the D-backs need a boost in the infield since Orlando Hudson is out for the rest of the season.

It seems the Diamondbacks are the team with the most urgent need for Eckstein’s services, but a return to Anaheim would be a homecoming of sorts. Where would he be a better fit?

Alejandro A. Leal writes for UmpBump.com. Comments? Rumors? E-mail me alexo05 (at) umpbump (dot) com.

Vizquel Wants To Play Next Year

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Omar Vizquel, arguably one of the best defensive shortstops in the game, is not ready to retire and if he cannot sign with a Major League club in 2009, he’ll look for playing time in Japan.

"I’ve played here long enough in America," he told Henry Schulman, of the San Francisco Chronicle. "I’ve seen every team, every ballpark. I think it would be great to experience a new league and something new. I played in Japan in 2000 on the major-league all-star tour and I found it very cool – good baseball, good fans. Why not? It’s a new culture."

Schulman believes Vizquel’s days with the Giants are drawing to a close, but the veteran shortstop thinks he can be a leader for the younger infielders in the Giants’ roster.

Once the team puts on a tribute, however, he knows hes probably not coming back.

Alejandro A. Leal writes for UmpBump.com. Comments? Rumors? E-mail me alexo05 (at) umpbump (dot) com.

Astros Sign Erstad, Moehler To Extensions

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Astros MLB.com beat writer Krysten Oliphant reports that the team has signed veteran outfielder Darin Erstad and right-handed pitcher Brian Moehler to one-year extensions.

Erstad gets a $1.75MM deal plus bonuses and Moehler nets a $2.3MM extension and bonuses; he has an option for 2010.  Erstad and Moehler have been a couple of bright spots among Ed Wade’s offseason acquisitions.

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