Sunday night report
An unconfirmed but reliable source informed me on Sunday that free agent pitcher A.J. Burnett agreed to terms with the St. Louis Cardinals. It is believed to be a five-year guaranteed deal, the approval of which by Chairman and General Partner Bill DeWitt was apparently the final step.
General Manager Walt Jocketty reportedly delayed his original Sunday departure for the Winter Meetings in Dallas due to the Burnett situation. Our belief, yet to be confirmed, is that Burnett is en route to St. Louis late Sunday night or Monday to complete his physical, the passing of which is a contingency to complete the deal. Jocketty arrived in Dallas late Sunday night.
Monday morning update
However, Toronto representatives contacted late Sunday night by our Scout.com Inside the Dome team were not aware of any pending agreement. In fact, as of then, the Blue Jays believe they are still in the race and are prepared to go five years in their offer to Burnett, according to Inside the Dome.
ITD also reports a Monday afternoon meeting is planned between the Washington Nationals and Burnett’s agent and if the offer is not to Burnett’s liking, the Cardinals may be given the final ok then.
Additional Inside the Dome news here (subscription).
Monday late afternoon update
ITD’s reporter in Dallas reports that Burnett’s agent, Darek Braunecker, has meetings scheduled both with the Jays and Nationals executives Monday night. The frustration in the Cardinals camp is reportedly mounting due to the delays.
If these meetings are held Monday night, the decision could easily drag on until Tuesday as the potential new offers are evaluated and discussed among Braunecker, Burnett and his wife. Plus, just as in the case of Edgar Renteria last year, there are rumors that the Players Association may be lobbying in favor of the highest offer, which certainly may not be from the Cards.
The unanswered question is how long the Cardinals will remain waiting at the table as what they thought would be the winning offer ages.
Footnote: My earlier report suggested the fifth year would be guaranteed. A later clarification was provided to me that Jocketty has reportedly been authorized to go five years, which represented a change from the Cardinals’ previous position. How he chooses to play that fifth-year card may be tied to an incentive rather than simply offering an unconditional guarantee.
Tuesday morning update
ITD reports the Cardinals did not offer a guaranteed fifth year, but instead an option that could have taken the contract value up to $60.5 million. While ITD heard the Nationals have another meeting scheduled with Burnett’s agent on Tuesday, the Toronto Globe and Mail states that Burnett has agreed to accept the Blue Jays’ five year, $55 million offer, with a press conference to be held in Dallas on Tuesday.
Note: Some of the information above has since become out-of-date, but it was left to provide one version of the progression of events over the last few days.
Brian Walton can be reached via email at brwalton@earthlink.net.
Updated at 7:15am Tuesday.