AJ Burnett

[VanCitySportsGuy]

Because of a weak FA class, I wouldn't be suprised if Burnett lands the biggest deal.

He's always had the stuff to be an elite pitcher but health problems have slowed him down. He's stayed healthy this season and proven he's a number 1 pitcher. By the start of next season he's going to be 29 and in the prime of his career.

I see 6 teams making a hard run at him: Yanks, Red Sox, Blue Jays, O's, Rangers, and Tigers.

I would be shocked if he got anything less than 4yrs/50 mil.

[dkgojackets]

Re: AJ Burnett

I think the Yanks are done with the whole Marlins pitchers thing

I hope we find a way to resign him, but no way will that happen

[SPTO]

Re: AJ Burnett

I'd be very happy if the Jays can sign Burnett. That means we could ship Lilly off to Philly for Ryan Howard

[ILLCHILL]

Re: AJ Burnett

I see the Jays getting him. No way he's escaping the AL East between the O's, Jays, Sox and Yanks.

[CWood2]

Re: AJ Burnett

I'd be very happy if the Jays can sign Burnett. That means we could ship Lilly off to Philly for Ryan Howard

I wouldn't mind seeing that at all. Howard is a great looking slugger and with AJ and Roy, you guys could join the hunt. I know the D-Rays are a few years away, but they have a decent roster with Crawford, Baldelli, Gathright, Kazmir, Delmon Young, Upton, Cantu and Huff.

What will define the bottom half of the AL East is pitching as the O's have proven, but I think that division could be amazing with a move by the Jays and the maturing of the D-Rays.

[TheLetterZ]

Re: AJ Burnett

I disagree. I think he's the most overrated pitcher in baseball and isn't a true #1. Though sadly, he'll probably get a huge contract and some team will be disappointed.

[snivlem]

Re: AJ Burnett

He's going to get a big payday, as he's the number one target for teams in need. I fully expect Texas to go hard after him. They've got plenty of money room too.

[Tha Dynasty]

Re: AJ Burnett

Because of a weak FA class, I wouldn't be suprised if Burnett lands the biggest deal.

He's always had the stuff to be an elite pitcher but health problems have slowed him down. He's stayed healthy this season and proven he's a number 1 pitcher. By the start of next season he's going to be 29 and in the prime of his career.

I see 6 teams making a hard run at him: Yanks, Red Sox, Blue Jays, O's, Rangers, and Tigers.

I would be shocked if he got anything less than 4yrs/50 mil.

I really wouldn't be surprised if he does get the biggest payout between pitchers in the offseason. But the key words are "weak FA class". I mean who really thought last season or even beginning this season that AJ Burnett was going to be the top trade bait or FA signing...I know the Giants are going for a "Veteran SP" this offseason but I hope we don't get him and get somebodu else instead. I dont see him making that big of a difference on any team.

[PdiddyPop]

Re: AJ Burnett

I think the Yanks are done with the whole Marlins pitchers thing

I hope we find a way to resign him, but no way will that happen

Yeah for real. At least Vargas is proving to be a very good pitcher.

[CoRruPt-]

Re: AJ Burnett

I'd be very happy if the Jays can sign Burnett. That means we could ship Lilly off to Philly for Ryan Howard

As a Jays fan, I would be very happy if this deal goes through. We already have a couple of able lefties in Downs and Chacin that have proven they are capable of being in the big league rotation.

If we do get Howard, that means we probably won't sign Hillenbrand, which would be a slight bit disappointing . Hinske must go!!! But then, we're stuck with him until '07 because someone signed him to that 5-year extension after his fluke season... sigh.

[Vince]

Re: AJ Burnett

The Phillies won't trade Howard. I'm sure they will beg some team to take Thome.

[CoRruPt-]

Re: AJ Burnett

The Phillies won't trade Howard. I'm sure they will beg some team to take Thome.

They can only go so far without pitching, and pitching will be a scarcity this season. I doubt they can go past the NLDS this season even if they make it into the playoffs because their pitching isn't all that strong. Lilly would be a powerful bargaining chip, I believe.

[TheLetterZ]

Re: AJ Burnett

If Ted Lilly wasn't an absolutely awful pitcher with injury problems, we might make that trade.

[ILLCHILL]

Re: AJ Burnett

Absolutely awful? 12-10 last year with an ERA of about 4.00 in close to 200 innings. A young lefty probably entering the prime of his career who has proved he can be effective when healthy. Not saying Lilly for Howard straight up is reasonable from a Philly perspective, but Lilly is far from absolutely awful.

[TheLetterZ]

Re: AJ Burnett

He's already been hurt 3 times this year.