A.J. Burnett Update
Some new information to report on the A.J. Burnett saga.
Let’s start at Viva El Birdos, where lboros is getting a little weary with the constant Burnett sightings and updates. It’s unclear whether he can be described as indefatigable. Lboros references this Toronto Star article, which has the Cards close but the Blue Jays still in the game. Another article mentions that the Nationals are still in the running even though they’ve yet to make an offer.
In light of this information, Brian Walton’s Scout.com article has changed significantly. Walton is still contending that Burnett is due in St. Louis for a physical and has agreed to terms.
Speaking of Burnett in St. Louis sightings, I’ve got another source adamant that Burnett was seen at Lambert-St. Louis International Airport as first noted yesterday. My source has talked to the head of security for Terminal A, who is "99% sure" it was A.J. Burnett last night. Given that both sightings were by Cardinals fans, there may be another explanation to all the madness.
Scout.com: “Burnett Deal Almost Done”
Brian Walton of Scout.com is reporting that A.J. Burnett has agreed to terms with the Cardinals. I have not spoken to Walton on the topic; he passed on an interview request a few days ago after writing a somewhat confusing article for Scout.com on November 30th.
Walton’s article says the deal is for five years, guaranteed, and required special permission from the Cardinals’ chairman.
There’s a thread over at St. Louis Post-Dispatch columnist Bernie Miklasz’s Pressbox forum on this topic. Miklasz has yet to weigh in. Another poster on an STL Today forum claims to have seen Burnett at the Lambert-St. Louis International Airport, for what it’s worth.
Lboros from Viva El Birdos has a trusted source down at the winter meetings, and he says the deal is "basically done." Things are looking up for Cards fans at this point.
Thanks to the many emailers who passed the article along.
Notes On Byrd, Burnett, Sosa
Today’s hot stove happenings:
Ken Rosenthal reports on the Cubs’ interest in A.J. Burnett. This confirms our assertion from November 18th:
"It’s sounding more and more like the Cubs will come up with another starter to add to the stable. Then they’ll deal from that depth to acquire an outfielder. GM Jim Hendry may be more inclined to make a big splash with A.J. Burnett than give a lot of money to Washburn. Unlike last season when he had to get Sammy Sosa off the books, Hendry will act early and often. The Cardinals’ interest in Burnett may motivate Hendry to make a better offer to the starter."
Speaking of Sosa, the Mets are mentioned as a suitor for the outfielder. The opinion here is that Sosa has nothing left, and is three years older than his listed age of 37. Only a foolish team desperate to allocate its free agent budget somewhere, anywhere, would take a chance on Sosa. I’m predicting the Kansas City Royals sign him as a PR move.
In yet another Rosenthal scoop, the Indians nabbed Paul Byrd for two years and $14.25MM. There’s a club option for the third year. We first reported the Tribe’s interest on November 29th. Byrd should provide decent value at what’s become the going rate for a middle-of-the-rotation starter. The fallout: the Angels will have to bring in a name pitcher if Jarrod Washburn also leaves town. I think he will, and the Angels kicking the tires on Erik Bedard, Livan Hernandez, and Jason Marquis.
The Mets moved quickly on Paul LoDuca, giving up one of their best remaining pitching prospects. Juan Pierre remains the last man standing, and the Marlins haven’t been waiting around to ditch their expensive players. Pierre should be gone as soon as the Fish find a team desperate enough to part with a top-notch prospect. The feeling here is that that team will not be the Yankees.
Thanks to Jerry and Alex
More Cardinals Rumblings
Trusted blogger Lboros has a new post over at Viva El Birdos that does a solid, thorough job of sifting through the rumors flying about in relation to the Cardinals. Especially with that infamous memo. The memo! The memo! You can check out our post from yesterday morning as a refresher.
The short version:
Walt Jocketty has been unusually uptight this offseason and has been keeping things close to the vest.
The Abreu to the Cards rumor is more than idle speculation; it seems some talks have taken place on that. Lboros doesn’t think the deal is a good fit economically or logically for the Cardinals, regardless.
Jason Marquis is as good as gone; Anthony Reyes is likely to stay.
Solid sources are saying the Cardinals are expected to sign A.J. Burnett soon, and lboros thinks that’s the most likely scenario.
Cardinals Nearing Huge Trade
I’ve got a source near the Cardinals organization telling me "something big is happening." Apparently, all company employees have received a memo threatening termination if any information is disclosed. Luckily, I’m not employed by the Cardinals, so I’m free to gossip.
I dropped a line to Lboros over at Viva El Birdos, a blogger who has a finger on the pulse of the team. Lboros had an intriguing list of trade rumors and possible signings that have presented themselves within the past few weeks:
Acquisition of Bobby Abreu. It is known that Abreu is on the trading block, although the asking price is sky high. It would be hard to imagine a deal getting done without Major League-ready pitching prospect Anthony Reyes included in the deal.
Trade for Ken Griffey Jr. Lboros speculates that Jason Marquis could be shipped to Cincinnati for Junior. Given Griffey’s terrible defense in recent years, a move to a corner would make a ton of sense. The Reds are desperately trying to acquire young pitching, although Marquis will become a free agent after 2006.
Jim Edmonds traded to Yankees for Robinson Cano and Chien-Ming Wang. Sure, it’s a staggering idea at first. Considering defense, Edmonds is still unquestionably the best center fielder in baseball even at age 35. He’s under contract for $12MM in 2006, and the Cards do have a need for a second baseman and a cheap young starter. Before you call me a crazy, evil Rumor Monger (that’s a half-truth), remember that St. Louis Post-Dispatch columnist Bernie Miklasz originated the rumor.
A.J Burnett signing. This one is considered the most plausible by the Cardinal faithful, and Walt Jocketty’s wooing of Burnett is well-known. Burnett’s agent stated yesterday that a deal could be "one phone call away." Jocketty doesn’t seem like the type to go to five years, $65MM for a starter, but he has to be considering it.