Cardinals offer Burnett 4 years, around $40 million

[E.J.]

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The Cardinals officially have placed themselves in contention for free-agent pitcher A.J. Burnett by breaking precedent with a four-year offer worth almost $10 million per season, sources confirmed Thursday night.

 

The Cardinals' bid is believed to include an option for 2010. The proposal represents a significant break from the organizational philosophy under current ownership. Burnett is the first starting pitcher to command a four-year bid since a group headed by Bill DeWitt Jr. purchased the club in March 1996.

 

Guaranteeing a fifth year was considered vital to any team's chances of landing Burnett, a hard-throwing righthander who has spent his career with the Florida Marlins. For the Cardinals, such a commitment was too much, leaving some within the organization unsure about the team's chances.

 

Significant debate took place before the club tendered a four-year offer that represents the most lucrative ever made by the Cardinals for any pitcher. DeWitt finally gave his blessing Wednesday, and the offer was made.

[PieOnMyHands]

Here is what I've heard:

 

- Not that this should come as a surprise, but it sounds like a decision might be made soon... because teams are starting to get frustrated with this waiting. They gotta move on.

 

Thoughts: Again, that's not a shocker. St. Louis wanted an answer by Monday...

 

 

 

- The Globe and Mail, a Toronto newspaper, had the following to say:

Ricciardi will not go to $12-million a year. Nor is he prepared to wait forever.

 

Thoughts: Well now it looks like Toronto will have to guarantee a fifth year to get Burnett. It's not they're going to offer him 4/$48 and blow our offer away.

 

 

 

- After St. Louis offered 4 years, $40 million with a $10.5 million option for a 5th year ($3.5 million buyout), the Cardinals received a fax back with a counter offer: 5 years, $60 million.

 

Thoughts: From what I heard, the 4-year deal was essentially a take-it-or-leave it offer. I wonder how much they would budge?

 

 

 

- AJ's agent claims it's more than just "Showing him the money:"

But I did hear his agent on MLB Live Late Edition on XM Tuesday night and he made it very clear that A.J.'s decision would not solely be based on money. He said that familiarity with the city and family concerns were going to play an important role in his decision.

 

Thoughts: I think that this is probably the only optimistic thing I've read today. Otherwise, it looks like we've made a 180 degree turn on him. Anyway, you've got to remember that AJ grew up in Arkansas as a Cardinal fan. Would he play here for less? Some players have been willing to do that. AJ's wife supposedly doesn't want to live in Toronto. Her preference, I heard, was the Nationals. However, it doesn't look like they're going to dish out a big enough contract to land him.

 

Of course, it oculd just be his agent trying to act human and blow smoke up everyone's butts. (Is the other word banned?)

 

 

 

It almost looks like things have degressed for the entire league with Burnett. I'm ready to move on, personally. He can take the $50 million with 5th year option, or he can shove it. You're too big of a risk to pay anything more. Yeah, I really want him... Even though the contract was long, it was at least (in the current market terms) affordable.

 

I hope St. Louis doesn't budge from their offer.

 

It's expected that these are the four "real" contendors left:

- Mets

- Cardinals

- Blue Jays

- Tigers

 

I think it was Jason Stark yesterday that said he thinks that the Tigers might be the dark horse in this whole thing. With the way the Mets have been spending, I would've be even remotely surprised to see him land Burnett.

 

I think it's pretty much down to Toronto and St. Louis, though. If the Jays aren't willing to go $12 million per year, you'd figure it would be $11 -- tops. So now you're looking at $40 million from St. Louis vs. $44 from Toronto. I wonder what he would choose if he got the following offers?

- St. Louis 4/$40 (5th year option, total contract worth $50.5 million)

- Toronto 5/$55

 

 

I just thought I'd keep you updated. Personally, I love hearing what the Cubs are doing, so maybe the reverse is true.

[CardsFanInChiTown]

Nice recap Pie, thanks.