Truth & Rumors > MLB

Burnett or bust for Blue Jays

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07:10 AM ET 11.28 | If the Blue Jays fail to re-sign free-agent pitcher A.J. Burnett, it is not a foregone conclusion that they will spend the money earmarked for Burnett's salary elsewhere. Before he opted out of his contract, Burnett was due to receive $24 million (all figures U.S.) over the next two seasons. Speaking yesterday to the annual meeting of the Toronto chapter of the Baseball Writers' Association of America, interim Jays president Paul Beeston said the team may hold on to that money, effectively reducing next season's salary budget by $12 million. "It may make sense for our future," Beeston said. Last season, the Jays spent about $97 million on player salaries. Even if Burnett doesn't return, the club already has roughly $70 million committed to 11 players for next year.

Toronto Star

A.J. Burnett, Harry How/Getty Images A.J. Burnett, Harry How/Getty Images
November 28, 2008  09:11 AM ET

Fire J.P!

November 28, 2008  09:17 AM ET

Nice job as a T&R writer. Cruise websites and steal other peoples stuff and call it Truth and Rumours.

Comment #3 has been removed
November 28, 2008  12:13 PM ET

One option huh? Sounds like Ricciardi.

November 28, 2008  12:32 PM ET
QUOTE(#2):

Nice job as a T&R writer. Cruise websites and steal other peoples stuff and call it Truth and Rumours.

Ummm, isn't that exactly the point?!? T&R is nothing but a collection of stories gleaned off the wire. Everything here is taken from another newspaper or website

November 28, 2008  12:38 PM ET
QUOTE(#3):

Burnett is overrated. He has a career losing record.

Judging a pitcher by wins/losses is stupid. However, Burnett's career record is 87-76.

Comment #7 has been removed
November 28, 2008  01:25 PM ET

Make it good.

November 28, 2008  01:30 PM ET

We can elevate the plane of this debate by a universal deployment of the spendid device shown at the left.

November 28, 2008  07:58 PM ET

fire J.P. Ricciardi!! 7 years and no playoffs you gotta wonder why the guy is still around?? now more than ever they need to dump salary and start all over again! Even if it means trading arguable the best pitcher in the Majors Roy Halliday! This guy will get you some young prospects guaranteed from almost every team in the league! If you can get anything for Vernon Wells now do it b/c he is in decline! Keep Marcum and Mc Gowan! Dont even bother chasing the Red Sox, Yankees and Rays with this team.. it's too late!!

Comment #11 has been removed
November 29, 2008  12:43 AM ET
QUOTE(#2):

Nice job as a T&R writer. Cruise websites and steal other peoples stuff and call it Truth and Rumours.

Hate when they actually do their job!

November 29, 2008  03:07 AM ET

i think everyone here doesn't know what they are talking about. Trading Halladay will just mean we are giving up on the next like 5 seasons. Halladay and Wells are the franchise for years to come. Anyone who thinks Wells is in decline didn't watch this season because if Wells played the whole season he would have had MVP numbers (based on his numbers if he played all 162 games). They need to trade Ryan and Overbay for prospects. Accardo can close for us while having League as our set-up man. And i think they can turn
Snider into a first baseman based on his build and keep Lind in left and just look for a DH through free agency...Bullpen is awesome and signing a descent man to the rotation will be fine. If we make all of those changes, I'm not saying we will win the division or anything, but we will put up a fight that's for sure. Go after Orlando Cabrera and Lowe and you got yourself a playoff team

November 29, 2008  07:58 AM ET

Burnett, finger and all, should remember his numerous visits to DL, soft injuries that a halliday would pitch through. The blue jays knew going in what they were getting, so he has a better than average year, now he wants the money. Was 12 mil not enough for the first 2 years with the jays for doing nothing. With Burnett, 3rd place, without him probably 4th. At least we will not hold our breath every pitch, to see if he is walking off with the trainer for a revisit to the DL. The players in all sports want money, jumbotron and adulation, ahead of team. Now that Halliday is Jays pitcher of year, Burnett must be really peaved.

 
November 29, 2008  07:47 PM ET
QUOTE(#14):

i think everyone here doesn't know what they are talking about. Trading Halladay will just mean we are giving up on the next like 5 seasons. Halladay and Wells are the franchise for years to come. Anyone who thinks Wells is in decline didn't watch this season because if Wells played the whole season he would have had MVP numbers (based on his numbers if he played all 162 games). They need to trade Ryan and Overbay for prospects. Accardo can close for us while having League as our set-up man. And i think they can turn Snider into a first baseman based on his build and keep Lind in left and just look for a DH through free agency...Bullpen is awesome and signing a descent man to the rotation will be fine. If we make all of those changes, I'm not saying we will win the division or anything, but we will put up a fight that's for sure. Go after Orlando Cabrera and Lowe and you got yourself a playoff team

Wow you are a stupid Jays fan. you are chirping people saying they didn't watch this season when its quite obvious you have no clue about this team. yes trading Ryan and Overbay would be a good idea but moving Snider to first base based only on his build is retarded. he is by far much much better than Lind will ever be as an outfielder. then we don't sign a short stop we already have the best defensive shortstop in the game in Johnny Mac then you should sign someone like a Pedro Martinez to be our 3rd or 4th starter then you might have a play off team.

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