Burnett checks in

So A.J. Burnett is signed, and the MLB's website is reporting J.P. Ricciardi's contract extension through 2010 and a 5:30 p.m. Eastern press conference scheduled for the official announcement of A.J. Burnett's signing. (TV: Sportsnet; on the web: TSN and MLB.com with live webcast).
Terms, according to this morning's reports: 5 years, $55 million. Jeff Blair at the Globe reported this morning that the first year would be $7 million, and the remaining four years at $12 million each. Geoff Baker's Hit and Run column from Dallas this morning looks in more detail at yesterday's frantic to and fro that led up to the deal. (UPDATE: Baker reports this afternoon that of that first year salary, all but $1 million will come in the form of a $6 million signing bonus, that bonus money spread over the lifetime of the deal giving them a little more financial room to acquire a bat and come in on their payroll target this season).
Leaving aside the money -- darned if those free agents are expensive, aren't they? -- the Jays now have a couple of 28-year-old starters just entering their primes in Roy Halladay and Burnett, and a soon to be 30-year-old closer in B.J. Ryan. They have some flexibility now in what they can do with the rest of the rotation, including, presumably, trading some of their excess arms to acquire the power hitter they need to complete the major items on the winter check list. Right now the rotation sets up as Halladay, Burnett, Chacin, Lilly and either Towers or Bush, but the lefty Lilly and young Bush would seem to be the most valuable in terms of a trade, along with Batista.
I'll be adding to this as items come in this afternoon, and from the press conference(s), after the jump. Meantime, the windows are open to take your thoughts.

From the J.P. Ricciardi press conference: an extension to 2010 for the GM. No terms announced.
Not much out of that to report on the A.J. Burnett front, except that Ricciardi did
say the Jays had interviewed the surgeon who did the Tommy John surgery on Burnett two years ago. Burnett has been on the DL six times in his career, but presumably he has passed his physical, which was done in Florida.

Other stuff: This is good news for Ricciardi, insofar as his shopping list: Apart from not getting Brian Giles he has managed to land his other two top targets, the top-rated starter and reliever among this year's free agent class.
Meanwhile, the Yankees have done nothing besides getting Kyle Farnsworth and aren't having much luck finding a CF, and the Red Sox, with Burnett's former Marlins teammate Josh Beckett in the fold, are on the Manny watch.
Some good threads ongoing at Batters Box and Blue Jay Way, including the debate about Burnett moving from a pitcher's park in Florida to a hitter's park here. Then there is the old NL to AL switch, which always makes me shudder -- though according to these numbers, there's not that big a difference.
Couple of things from Jeff Blair's blog over at the Globe: Jays are shopping Alex Rios, and Brad Wilkerson, who could be Ricciardi's target No. 1, could be part of a package. And oh yeah, Manny Ramirez to Anaheim in a three-way involving Arizona is also bubbling over.

From the A.J. Burnett press conference:

Paul Godfrey and J.P. Ricciardi fit him with a No. 34.

Godfrey: "This started back on Feb. 3 of '05, the fact is, that was the day our ownership under the leadership of Ted Rogers decided to buy the facility we play in ... it was quite obvious that the Blue Jays had to control the destiny of their own building."

Repeats the Blue Jays' salary limits for the next three seasons: $210 million. $75 million for this year.

"J.P. has gone out and very carefully monitored the situations of the players available, and went after the ones he thought would fit inside the Blue Jays' 25-man roster."

Burnett makes $250,000 contribution to Jays Care Foundation.

"This is JP's plan from the day I hired him. We knew there was a lot of work we had to do over the years. He has stuck religiously to the plan ... He didn't get drawn away by former superstars that were in the twilight years of their career. He had to rebuild the farm system ... We're entering into a period now of finding the missing pieces. We are much more competitive now than we have been in a number of years."

Ricciardi:

Jays had one scout, sometimes two, at every game Burnett pitched this past season.
"We're looking forward to seeing him and Halladay come out at Yankee Stadium and Fenway next time we have to face them."

"We looked at his age. I think there's a big upside here. I don't think we'd get involved with someone in their mid-30s. Age is a big factor here."

On the AL East: "We're a lot closer now than we've ever been."

And on mlb.com, what's ahead next: "We're looking at a couple of bats -- not the 40-HR kind of guy, but maybe a couple of guys who can hit 20 HRs. We have a lot of flexibility now ... We (have improved. We just ended up with BJ Ryan, we were 16-31 in one-run games last years, we've covered the back end of our bullpen, and we got our No. 2 guy, everyone slides down. Chacin is a No. 3 guy now, Lilly our No. 4."

Burnett:

"The people I met there were just one big family ... that's one of the reasons I chose the Toronto Blue Jays ... on the field I get to work with (pitching coach) Brad Arnsberg again. 2002 (with Arnsberg in Florida) was the best season of my career. This is going to be a fun five years. ... Me having a relationship with the pitching coach there and him knowing me better than I do myself had something to do with it. Growing up, I wasn't that much of a Cardinals fan -- my family was."

On B.J. Ryan's presence: "It did help. ... but I kinda knew in my heart this was the place from the first time."

 

Comments

[Mark]

I can't wait for the season to begin. For years it has been nerve-wracking to watch a Jays pitching staff with only one premium starter and shakey closers. If Ricciardi can trade for a power hitter or two, we're seriously looking at a third powerhouse in the AL East.

[Werner Ott]

Toronto HAS to overpay for premium free agents. Not too many guys (and their wives & accountants) are nuts about moving to Canada.
Good job, though. It's just money. It's not like the Jays gave up their future by way of sacrificing young talent.
Now, JP...impress me with your horsetrading ability. We need a bat or two, and a cleanup of the infield/outfield personnel. Too many good players, too few positions, not enough playing time.

[Andrew Snell]

Finally since '92 & '93 we look to have a winning roster.

[rboogie smith]

Hmm, I'm not too sure about the analysis that the blue jays have to overpay - The Yankees and Red Sox have been operating on a such a policy for quite some time - their payrolls are just one such indication.

no question, we gave him a strong deal - I think having Doc and AJ makes the blue jays a formidable team.

congrats to JP and Mr. Godfrey for turning this ship round.

[feng]

Very excited about this move. Burnett really has great stuff. If we don't abuse his arm like Florida did, he will be a great addition.

[GUY]

VERY GOOD TRADE GOOD PITCHING STAFF NOW WE NEED TO TRADE THE DEAD WOOD LIKE HINSKE , BATISTA , AND PERHAP LILLY (TO OFTEN INJURED)TO GET THE OFFENCE. WE NEED ONE OR TWO MORE BAT ESPECIALLY A LEFT HAND BATTERS AND CAN SMELL PLAYOFF!! TOO BAD WE'VE GOT TO WAIT ANOTHER 5 MONTHS FOR THE SEASON TO BEGIN.

[Chandler]

Agreed with above...too many "good" players that need to be turned into one or two "great" ones. Sure I cheer for the Hudsons and Catalonottos and Hillenbrands on this team, but they are the working pieces on a team that lacks a true engine. Go get it JP.

And it is just money. Ted's got lots. In five years when middling starters are earning 18 large a season, this contract won't seem so bad.

[cy]

I don't think overpaying can be argued here. It's the length of the deal, five years applied to a guy who has yet to put together the kind of glittering season to match his power-pitching best stuff. They've got a couple more moves to make, too, that would amount to a big, big shift in the balance of power in their division. Big upside to this move. And wouldn't you love to hear what's going on in Brian Cashman's bunker these days?

[Guy Trinden]

Great move for the pitching staff, the team, the management and, most importantly, the fans. Like it is said, hitting wins games but pitching wins pennants. However, I still don't think the Yanks and Bosox will tremble in their boots until the Jays add another good hitter or two...preferably someone with a above .900 OBP.

[Ricks]

Great deal to bring in both pitchers, now go out and trade Hinske, Batista, Lilly & Bush for BARRY ZITO. Then we wont require that much of an offence.

[Ted]

Perhaps some perspective is needed before the next pennant flies in the Dome: $100 million US for two pitchers, a starter with a major league lifetime record of 49 and 50, and a starter turned reliever with a career total of 46 saves. These guys may (stress may) have star potential based on their short pasts, but as the injury to Halliday shows, a season is 162 games, and this team needs much more than potentially-good second starter and a potentially-good closer. Superstars probably not, above average, probably. Did the team get value for $100 million? I don't think so.

[Bill]

Addittion without subtraction. JP has done a wonderful job getting two of the three big names this offseason. It will be interesting where Morris and Eaton end up.
I hope JP isn't done yet, as he now has some bargaining chips. I am not sure if Overbay and Mench are the answer (as they both play in Hitter friendly parks).
I can't wait to get this season started, and hope that Skydome is filled for every game again!

[Brian]

Jays have to pay a premium for guys in their prime because there's too many negatives coming to TO, i.e. another country, moving family, working out visas, schooling, complicated taxes = big bucks on lawyers, tax accounts. Perhaps not for rookies or past their prime ball players who just want to play. Right now, the big stars don't want to play in TO. It's similar to Green Bay Packers...no one wanted to play there until Reggie White opened the doors and made it cool. Toronto is Leafs town. Leafs don't have to pay a premium because they are the number one franchise in hockey...Leafs Nation. Maybe the Blue Jays will get their 90's magic back. Who knows...maybe a Blue Jays Nation is just gearing up.

[chris]

I love this! Finally some baseball trades for the Jays, who cares about the money, it's not mine! The best thing is - this shows toronto that the Jays are committed to putting some money into the team and a good product on the field. Now, toronto has to step up to the plate and back this team by filling the stands.

[Barry]

Although I love the free agent signings and give full marks to JP on them, I am rather frightened on the trade front. Any trade that involves losing either Wells or Hudson will not upgrade this team. Between them, countless runs against us are saved each season. Wells is certainly MVP caliber (even a triple crown threat), so any trade for him is unthinkable. Besides, even if the team is a bust in 2006, Hudson alone is worth the price of admission.

[Joel Dembe]

Wow! The wheels are definately in motion for the Jays now. With everyone healthy this should be an extremely competitive team. We just need to trade for Adam Dunn to get some power numbers added to the team. I congratulate Mr. Ricciardi and the entire organization for getting this team back on track and in the right direction. Cannot wait to see the team on opening day!

[Doug]

Dear Santa:

I've been a good GM all year, and as a result I have more money to spend. I've already spent a bunch, but there's more I have to do if I want to be on the good GM list next year, so I need some help.

I would like:
- Barry Zito or another quality LH starter for the 3-spot
- an improved all-around hitter at RF
- a bona-fide slugger for 1B/DH to protect Wells in the order

I know if I trade Hudson or Wells I'll get a lump of coal in my stocking, but this special season is about giving, so I want to give some of the following players new opportunities with other teams: Lilly, Batista, Bush, League, Hinske, Koskie and Rios.

If you can help me with this, Santa, I think we'll both look good next Fall.

Merry Christmas,

J.P.

(P.S. - oh, in case I didn't menton it before, could I get these things by Friday? I know it's ahead of your usual delivery schedule, but time's a-wastin'. Thanks!)

[Rick Grace]

Big deal. The Blue Jays sign two guys nobody has ever heard of, but use their spin machine, as well as cheerleading baseball writers, who have basically become house men, to turn these two into the second coming of Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemeiux combined. In the hopes the Jays will sell tickets so that their favorite team survives.

But what you people don't see is this is Rogers last kick at the can. If the team falls flat on its face, and the fans don't come back, and the red ink grows, Mr. Rogers will throw in the towel.

Which is why he didn't mind giving 5 year deals. Because if the team tanks, it'll be MLB stuck paying the last few years on those contracts. Because Mr. Rogers will jump ship. Ala Mr. Loria in Montreal. Remember where you heard it first.

[Dil]

Nice signings. I really don't care about how much money was spent. At least they're finally signing the top players available instead of settling for pool b and c players. This team is in serious need of some power, but i don't see Mench or Overbay being enough, and any trade involving Hudson or Wells that doesn't bring a superstar back in return is a big no no. Hudson is the soul of this team. Wells for Abreu is not an upgrade.

[smah]

Overpaying is relative to supply and demand, but these 2 pre-agent signings represent the best among this years crop in terms of potential due to their ages. they are both entering their primes.

the down side is that they are both unproven. actually, A.J. is proven to break down often and attain average results. if either of them dont work out, their age and relatively reasonable $10M/yr cost would make them liquidable so they wouldnt be albatroses.

[cy]

What's the big deal indeed. I mean, I got B.J. Ryan out of the dregs list in '04 in my fantasy pool. it got me all the way to seventh place. As for A.J., that NL to AL and ballpark to ballpark switch scares the heck out of me still, almost as much as his injury history. I'm not as high on this signing as I was on B.J., but he does have an upside and these are the risks you have to take if you want to play with the big boys.

[Bart]

I guess it is all about timing.... Had the Jays stuck with Carpenter this Guy would be number 3 on a one two lights out starting staff. Had Escobar been kept... well it's not that hard to argue that A.J. would have been a Number 4 on that rotation. But the Great minds at blue Jay Way thought they knew best! With Carlos gone we look for two batters to replace him with and there is talk of trading Wells and Hudson our Golden boys down the centre for some much needed bats. Well I don't get it? had this team secured long term budget dollars four years ago we would not be out bidding the other 29 teams to fill holes today for guys unsure if moving north of the 48th is in their best intrest? Pat Gillick did not trade players for years and was called stand pat for a reason! he only brought us our greatest moments so far...

Welcome A.J. I hope you give us five great years so I don't feel the pain of the 21 game winner we lost... in the end its all about luck and having the deepest pockets to fill the holes with. so far jays are short on both accounts

[Nate C.]

Many people seem to be scared of the longevity for both pitcher signings. If Burnett continues to be 50-50, they can always trade him away and receive a big bat in return. If a 50-50 pitcher can earn a deal like that, he will still have that much interest in him in a couple years. Ryan is more experienced than people believe. He has been solid since he entered into the league. The Jays just need to sort out the cluttered infield and outfield, and I believe a trade for a solid 20 HR hitter for 1B/DH and another for the OF. Remember, if Halladay was healthy all year the team could have easily won another 10 games. Replacing one of their mediocre pitchers and Burnett only going 12-12 will still increase their win total for next season. They will be in contention for the pennant, guaranteed.

[Justin]

Why does everything written by Richard Griffin bash J.P.? Did J.P. run over his dog or something?

[sina]

Good job getting A.J and B.J , J.P. But don't forget we need hitters to get us over the hump to become tops in the AL East. I suggest the moves that he makes now are;

1. Adam Dunn Age:26
Trade Possibilities (Package)(Koskie,Batista,Bush,McGowen,Cat,Hinske)

2. Lyle Overbay Age:28
Trade Possibilities (Package)(Koskie,Batista,Bush,McGowen,Cat,Hinske)

Line-up Rotation
1.Adams 1.Halladay
2.Cat 2.Burnett
3.Wells 3.Chacin
*4.Dunn 4.Towers
5.Hillenbrand 5.Lilly
*6.Overbay
7.Koskie Closer: Ryan
8.Rios
9.Zahn

ALL OF THIS EQUALS WORLD SERIES CHAMPS!!!