The Globe and Mail is reporting that the Blue Jays have signed free- agent pitcher A.J. Burnett to a $55-million US, five-year contract, with a news conference scheduled for Tuesday afternoon at the baseball winter meetings in Dallas.
According to the paper, Burnett will receive $7 million next season, including a signing bonus, and $12-million each for the next four years of the deal.
The move for Burnett would be the second major free-agent splash in as many weeks from general manager J.P. Ricciardi. Reliever B.J. Ryan was officially signed to a five-year, $47 million US deal on Nov. 28.
A.J. Burnett was seventh in the National League in strikeouts in 2005. (CP Photo)
Roy Halladay, ace of the Blue Jays pitching staff, will make $10.5 million for the 2005 season.
Burnett, who has pitched for Florida his entire career, was also being heavily courted by St. Louis and Washington.
The 28-year-old right-hander went 12-12 with a 3.44 earned-run averaged in 32 starts with the Marlins in 2005, racking up 198 strikeouts against 75 walks. For his career, he is 49-50 with a 3.73 ERA.
In early November, Burnett was wooed by Blue Jays brass and players in Toronto.
"I'm so impressed with the front office here and [general manager J.P. Ricciardi and the people I've met," Burnett said at the time.
"It's night and day from what I'm used to [in Florida]. They're all good people and it's been great so far."
While Burnett had expressed a desire to pitch for a Cardinal team he rooted for as a child, it has been reported that St. Louis was not willing to offer a five-year deal.
With the Blue Jays, Burnett is expected to be the No. 2 starter behind Roy Halladay.
Current Toronto pitching coach Brad Arnsberg is familiar with Burnett, having coached him in Florida.
with files from CP Online
