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A.J. Burnett Opts Out

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4:28pm: According to Ken Rosenthal, Burnett has officially opted out of the remaining two years and $24MM on his deal.  The Blue Jays remain in the mix.  If he leaves, they’ll at least end up with two draft picks.

10:22am: What’s the deal with A.J. Burnett?  We were supposed to have an opt-out decision yesterday before the GM meetings began.  Ken Davidoff talked to Burnett’s agent, Darek Braunecker.  Apparently Braunecker will meet with the Jays today to see if they’ll make a "knock your socks off" offer to keep Burnett off the market.  Cathal Kelly of the Toronto Star says the Jays will have to look at other free agent starters if Burnett leaves.

Sean McAdam of the Boston Herald does not see the Red Sox in on Burnett or C.C. Sabathia, based on Theo Epstein’s comments.  The Yankees are expected to be major players.

Odds and Ends: El Duque, Tazawa, Ausmus

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Links for Tuesday.  Be sure to check back on Odds and Ends posts, as I update them throughout the day with minor links.

Odds and Ends: Pudge, Ohman, Manny

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Rounding up linkage for Monday…

Rosenthal’s Latest: Peavy, Burnett, Sabathia

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Let’s take a look at the latest column from Ken Rosenthal at FOX Sports.

  • Don’t look for a Jake Peavy trade this week at the GM meetings, as the Padres haven’t found a match with Peavy’s five preferred teams.
  • A.J. Burnett’s agent should announce his client’s decision to opt out today.  Rosenthal notes Burnett’s preference to sign near his Maryland home, with the Yankees and Red Sox as the most realistic possibilities.
  • Rosenthal believes the Brewers offered C.C. Sabathia $100MM over five years (rather than four).  The Brewers can say they tried, but no one expects Sabathia to settle so far below his market value.  Also, the Brewers will decide today on Mike Cameron’s $10MM option.
  • The Phillies’ areas of uncertainty: GM, left field, fifth starter.

Burnett Decision Due Monday Before GM Meetings

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ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick talked to A.J. Burnett’s agent Darek Braunecker, who says his client will make his opt-out decision prior to the start of Monday’s GM meetings.  We all know Burnett is opting out, of course.

Crasnick believes Burnett and Derek Lowe will seek salaries of at least $16MM per year.  He names the Yankees, Mets, Rangers, Red Sox, Orioles and Nationals as potential suitors for Burnett.  The Blue Jays will remain in the mix as well.

Marlins Raise Payroll Limit To $40 Million

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Mike Berardino of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel talked an industry source who says Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria has authorized a payroll of up to $40MM for 2009.  This means they won’t be forced to trade any of their 16 arbitration-eligible players.  Greg Cote first suggested this on September 30th, and Buster Olney reiterated it on October 15th.

However, Berardino confirms Olney’s note from Friday: Kevin Gregg, Mike Jacobs, and Scott Olsen are available.  The Marlins discussed sending Jacobs to the Royals for righty Carlos Rosa, but the Fish are worried about Rosa’s August forearm soreness.  A thought: why would the Royals consider trading pitching for Jacobs?  Berardino names the Mariners and Blue Jays as other interested parties, and considers the Indians a fit.  The Giants have also been named as a suitor.

Berardino wonders if the Rangers will pursue Olsen, perhaps offering a catcher.  I don’t believe Olsen would succeed in Texas.

Expected to remain in Florida: Dan Uggla, Cody Ross, and Alfredo Amezaga.  Berardino says the front office is divided on Jeremy Hermida’s potential.  Four teams have asked about Hermida.  Josh Willingham may be available, but his back is worrisome.

Burnett Would Consider Yankees

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George King of the New York Post talked to A.J. Burnett’s agent Darek Braunecker, who said Burnett will "see if the Yankees are interested" if he chooses to opt out of his deal.  It always makes sense to keep the Yankees involved.

When we last checked in on the Burnett situation Friday, we were confused by J.P. Ricciardi’s characterization of the talks.  Jeff Blair believes the Blue Jays are willing to do a three-year, $48MM contract.  Talking to Murray Chass recently, Braunecker downplayed his client’s injury history.

Perrotto’s Latest: Red Sox, Mets, Burnett, Blalock

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John Perrotto over at Baseball Prospectus has his weekly column up… let’s take a look at what he has to say:

  • Couple of notes about the Red Sox: Perrotto expects Theo Epstein to re-sign Jason Varitek to a two-year deal in the $16MM range. This seems like drastically overpaying for what Varitek has become, in my opinion, but as Perrotto points out, there’s very little on the free agent market. Epstein will then look to trade for a young catcher who can become the starter in 2010 or 2011. Additionally, he’ll try to move Mike Lowell to open up a spot for either Mark Teixeira or Garrett Atkins, but that won’t be an easy task most likely. On a Manny-related note, Terry Francona said the last couple months of 2008 were the "most fun he’s ever had" in Boston, calling them "tremendous." He didn’t mention Manny specifically, but does he really have to?
  • Perrotto says the Mets have decided to pass on Francisco Rodriguez, and will instead pursue Brian Fuentes, as well as Derek Lowe. The Red Sox may also make a strong pitch for Lowe.
  • The Padres will likely take some gambles on rehabbing pitchers for 2009. Perrotto lists Mark Mulder, Matt Clement, and Mark Prior as candidates.
  • Toronto’s interim president Paul Beeston is making A.J. Burnett the organization’s top priority, and Perrotto feels that Burnett wants to stay. Personally, I’m in the other camp and see Burnett opting out and cashing in on a big payday.
  • The Rangers will almost certainly pick up Hank Blalock’s $6.2MM option for 2009.

Odds and Ends: Building A Bullpen, GM Gossip

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It’s a bit of a slow day for rumors, what with Game 3 of the World Series and all. Nonetheless, here are a few tangential tidbits for the afternoon:

  • Sean McAdam of the Boston Herald notes that the Tampa Bay Rays don’t save their best relievers for the 9th inning; Dave Pinto says it’s "a feather in his cap" that manager Joe Maddon can get his pitchers to excel in such undefined roles. If you can get players to buy into it, it’s a cheap and effective way to build a bullpen — witness the 2007 Indians. If not, it’s a wreck — witness the 2003 Red Sox.
  • John Romano of the St. Petersburg Times asks: does former GM Chuck LaMar or current GM Andrew Friedman deserve the credit for Tampa Bay’s success this year?
  • Canadian teams are feeling the pinch as the Loonie falls in value, writes Don McGowan. As if the Blue Jays didn’t have enough to worry about!

Sarah Green writes for the Boston Metro and UmpBump.com.

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