Tuesday, December 6, 2005
Blue Jays sign free agent RHP A.J. Burnett
SportsTicker
DALLAS - The Toronto Blue Jays again got the attention
of the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox.
The Blue Jays on Tuesday signed free agent righthander A.J.
Burnett, who had been with the Florida Marlins, to a five-year,
$55 million contract.
"We're just really excited to have A.J. here," said general
manager J.P. Ricciardi, who signed a three-year contract
extension earlier Tuesday. "It's been a long process but it's
one worth going through. We're just really happy that A.J.
decided to join us and we're looking forward to seeing him and
(Roy) Halladay come out the next time we have to walk into
Fenway or Yankee Stadium.
"(New York and Boston) are still the front runners, but we're
closing the gap. I'm really happy with our starting rotation
and bullpen, and maybe that's our advantage."
The deal is the longest for a free agent starting pitcher since
Chan Ho Park secured $65 million over five years from the Texas
Rangers in 2001. Carl Pavano signed the most lucrative deal of
last offseason, a four-year contract worth nearly $40 million
with the Yankees.
"I came out to visit (Toronto) and fell in love the first time,"
Burnett said. "It's one big family here, and I feel just from
being around the right people is gonna make me a better person
on and off the field. That's how you have success, being around
the right people."
Two weeks ago, Toronto made headlines by signing free agent
closer B.J. Ryan to a five-year, $47 million deal, and just
missed out on signing slugging outfielder Brian Giles even
though it made a higher dollar offer.
With Blue Jays ownership now debt-free and the $50 million
payroll gone, Ricciardi and company have taken advantage and may
not be done.
"We gave J.P. $210 million to spend over three years (starting
in 2005) and have asked him to spend wisely," Toronto president
Paul Godfrey said. "We're not going to spend the $150-200
million other teams have spent. Our payroll will be 75 million
in 2006 - well below average."
Ricciardi indicated that Toronto probably is done signing free
agents, but the Jays may not be done dealing. Second baseman
Orlando Hudson's name has been on the rumor mill and the club is
looking to upgrade at first base after a sub-par season by Eric
Hinske.
With the addition of Burnett, the Blue Jays have depth in their
rotation, joining Halladay, Gustavo Chacin, Josh Towers and Ted
Lilly.
"You're always looking, but there comes a point where you have
to stop," Ricciardi said. "We don't have a lot of money left
for free agents, but we're still talking."
Lilly, along with deposed closer Miguel Batista, who is slated
to make a return to the rotation, are being dangled in trade
talks.
It also is believed that with this signing, the other free agent
pitchers will start to fall in line, starting with Kevin
Millwood, who has been linked to the Seattle Mariners. However,
Seattle general manager Bill Bavasi said that a deal was not in
the works.
Burnett, who made $3.65 million this past season, chose the Blue
Jays over the St. Louis Cardinals, who offered a four-year
package. He was 12-12 with a 3.44 ERA in 32 starts, yielding 184
hits and 79 walks in 209 innings while striking out 198.
Burnett is 49-50 with a 3.73 ERA in his seven-year career and is
the Marlins' all-time leader in wins. He'll be united with
pitching coach Brad Arnsberg, who made a distinct impression
when he worked with Burnett as Florida's pitching coach in 2002.
"2002 was the best season of my career and working with him was
a top priority," Burnett said. "I had a relationship with
(Arnsberg) and he knew me better than I knew myself. I get to
work with someone whose made me the pitcher I am today."
After winning a career-high seven straight starts July 19-August
19, Burnett was winless the rest of the season, going 0-6 in
his final seven starts. He was told to go home the final week of
the season after making critical comments about the front
office and manager Jack McKeon.
He's the latest to leave the Marlins, who are in a salary purge.
Catcher Paul Lo Duca, first baseman Carlos Delgado, second
baseman Luis Castillo, third baseman Mike Lowell, and
righthanders Josh Beckett and Guillermo Mota all have been
traded in the past few weeks with center fielder Juan Pierre on
the block. Right fielder Juan Encarnacion, shortstop Alex
Gonzalez and closer Todd Jones are free agents and will not be
re-signed.
