A.J., J.P. and eBay

The morning links, and a heapin' helpin' of 'em, are dominated by A.J. Burnett, the richest sub-.500 pitcher in Blue Jays history, and GM J.P. Ricciardi, signed to an extension through the 2010 season:

A tidbit from Geoff Baker on the Burnett deal has a limited no-trade clause and an opt-out clause after the 2008 season. And Jeff Blair at the Globe reports that Ricciardi has an out clause in his deal, having seen how the worm turned this fall for his buddy Theo Epstein.
The view from New York? Let's just say the AL East just got a little more crowded.
Meanwhile, in Boston, the Red Sox are spinning their wheels (including a report that points to divisions in the front office regarding the Josh Beckett acquisition -- yikes, hate to hear that, eh Jays fans?).

Other baseball: The Dodgers have signed former Red Sox skipper Grady Little. And John Olerud has retired.

The Raptors lose in OT, and moan about not getting a call late (Actually, it was a 50-50 proposition, and the law says they haven't earned the right to get those in someone else's building. But I don't blame Sam Mitchell for playing that card. It takes the heat off the team's crappy defence, shown in micro when Charlie Villanueva failed to step out and help defending red-hot shooter Gilbert Arenas on a jumper that ignited the Wizards' clinching 7-0 run, and in macro with Washington's 50 per cent from the field). Lakers are in town tonight.

In the Champions League, Rangers are the first Scottish club to advance out of group play since the nee-European Cup's format change 13 years ago, but saving Alex McLeish's job? Hey, they're not Supermen. Up today -- Manchester United face a win-or-else task in Lisbon.

For all you curling fans (I know you're out there): Colleen Jones and Randy Ferbey are toast.

Militant Moderate has brought out the biweekly SportBlog Roundup, and as usual there's some good stuff from all over the globe. (Recommended: Colby Cosh's Grey Cup, contrarian thoughts on George Best and the mystery of World Cup seeding.)

Oh, and out of Detroit and on to eBay: one fan's loyalty, for sale. Thanks to Deadspin, as usual, for the link, along with this one (from Rammer Jammer Yellow Hammer) that brings to mind a recent (and ongoing) episode in Raptors history.

Comments

[D]

It's funny that you mention, as everyone loves to do, AJ Burnett's win-loss record.
Do you, and others, realize he played for the firesale Marlins over the past 7 seasons?
He was hurt in the World Series year -- otherwise, his winning percentage is about the same as the team itself, maybe a bit higher.
Only fools worry about the individual win-loss percentage in a team game. All of his other numbers, particularly K/BB, K/IP, ERA are solid.
He can't help it if he stuck on a crappy team. I'm sure now with a decent team and a star closer in Ryan, Burnett's winning percentage will go up.

[cy]

Do I sound like I'm worrying? The only thing worrying is that this is a guy who has a history of getting injured, as I wrote yesterday. But thanks for setting me straight D. I had no idea. Geez, I'm such a fool.