Cathal Kelly, of the Toronto Star, reports Darek Braunecker, the agent for Toronto Blue Jays SP A.J. Burnett, said they do not expect to have made a decision whether to opt out of the Burnett's current contract by Monday, Nov. 3, as previously reported. Braunecker indicated that he continues to talk to the team and will speak with the organization again before the end of the weekend.

A report on ESPN.com, citing Braunecker, claimed that Burnett would decide whether or not to exercise his out prior to the start of the Major League Baseball General Managers Meetings on Monday in Dana Point, Calif. Braunecker said his comments were misunderstood. "That's not accurate. We haven't put a timetable on anything," Braunecker said on Thursday night. Burnett has until November 13 to opt out of his contract or remain with the Blue Jays.

A.J. Burnett expects to decide whether he will opt out of his contract or not before MLB's GM meetings begin on Monday, according to ESPN.It's extremely likely that Burnett will opt out of his contract. Burnett, who will turn 32 in January, would likely be able to sign one more big contract while in his prime. He won't command the $20+ million a year contract like C.C. Sabathia, but could get around $16 million for four or five years.

Jerry Crasnick, of ESPN.com, reports Toronto Blue Jays SP A.J. Burnett is expected to decide whether to exercise the opt-out clause on his contract by Monday, Nov. 3, according to his agent, Darek Braunecker. Burnett is expected to opt out of his contract and hit the open market by the end of the weekend. He has two years and $24 million left on his current deal. Braunecker stated that the Blue Jays would be a major player to re-sign Burnett if he chooses to opt out of his contract. He could be looking for at least $16 million a year in a long-term deal.

Bob Elliott, of the Toronto Sun, reports the Washington Nationals could make a push to sign Toronto Blue Jays SP A.J. Burnett in the offseason.

Bob Elliott, of the Toronto Sun, reports the Texas Rangers could make a push to sign Toronto Blue Jays SP A.J. Burnett in the offseason.

News: If you hear any reports that Blue Jays SP A.J. Burnett, who has the chance to opt out of his contract and test free agency, doesn't want to join the Yankees, don't believe them, his agent, Darek Braunecker, told the New York Post. "That is 100-percent wrong," Braunecker said. "If he does indeed opt out of the deal (with Toronto), he will see if the Yankees are interested."

Analysis: Burnett finished his season with a career-high 18 wins and 231 strikeouts in just over 221 innings pitched. He stayed relatively healthy all season even though a fingernail injury led to some struggles early. Think of him as a No. 2 Fantasy SP entering 2009

The New York Post's George A. King III is reporting Toronto Blue Jays SP A.J. Burnett reportedly is shying away from the New York Yankees as a possible destination, but Burnett's agent denies the claim and says Burnett would be considered for New York if he opts out of his contract with the Blue Jays.

George King, of the New York Post, reports that if Toronto Blue Jays SP A.J. Burnett opts out of his current contract to become a free agent, the New York Yankees may not be on his wish list. However, Darek Braunecker, Burnett's agent, denied that his client has ruled out the Yankees. "That is 100 percent wrong," he said. "If he does indeed opt out of the deal [with Toronto], he will see if the Yankees are interested."

Interim Jays president Paul Beeston and GM J.P. Ricciardi met personally with AJ. [...]

Jeff Blair, of The Globe and Mail, reports Toronto Blue Jays interim president and chief executive officer Paul Beeston and general manager J.P. Ricciardi met with SP A.J. Burnett and his agent, Darek Braunecker, in an introductory session to contract negotiations, according to multiple sources. Burnett can opt out of his current contract within 15 days of the conclusion of the World Series. The Blue Jays have said that they are willing to give him $16 million per year.

The Toronto Star's Cathal Kelly reports Toronto Blue Jays SP A.J. Burnett hasn't indicated whether he'll opt out of his contract. "I don't think he's in any hurry to make an announcement either way," Burnett's agent Darek Braunecker said.

Asked Thursday about contract talks with A.J. Burnett, general manager JP. [...]

Asked Thursday about contract talks with A.J. Burnett, general manager JP. [...]

Ken Rosenthal, of FOXSports.com, reports the Toronto Blue Jays top priority of the offseason is re-signing SP A.J. Burnett, according to general manager J.P. Ricciardi.

Ken Rosenthal, of FOXSports.com, reports the Toronto Blue Jays are unlikely to acquire Los Angeles Dodgers OF Manny Ramirez in the offseason, according to general manager J.P. Ricciardi. However, if the Blue Jays are unable to re-sign SP A.J. Burnett, their chances of landing Ramirez are greater. "Manny is not priority No. 1. I can't even say he's priority No. 2," Ricciardi said. "It would really be a long shot for us to bring him to Toronto. He's on our radar, but maybe not on our radar like some people will report."

Fox Sports reports that re-signing A.J. Burnett is one of Toronto GM J.P. Ricciardi's top priorities this offseason.Burnett is said to be asking for a five year deal, but that's hard to fathom with the injury issues he has had since he arrived in Toronto.

Normally injury-prone, Burnett showed newfound endurance in 2008, setting career highs in innings pitched (221 1/3), starts (34) and strikeouts. This makes it all the more likely that he'll exercise his player option and test the free-agent market this winter. A move to the National League would bode especially well for the hard-throwing 30-year-old.

The New York Yankees are not only after the two marquee pitchers on the free agent market in CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett, but they also will be looking to sign Derek Lowe, according to SI.com.It has been reported that Lowe wants to stay on the West Coast, but when the Yankees call with bags full of money, minds can be changed quickly.

CC Sabathia is at the top of the list of free agent pitchers that the Yankees plan to pursue this offseason, according to Sports Illustrated. The Yankees will also pursue the likes of Derek Lowe, A.J. Burnett and Jake Peavy.The Yankees need to add some solid starting pitching, especially if Mike Mussina does indeed retire. Andy Pettitte has also expressed a desire to return, but that situation also needs to be worked out.

New York Newsday's Kat O'Brien reports the New York Yankees have interest in soon to be free-agent SP A.J. Burnett (Blue Jays).

Joel Sherman, of the New York Post, reports the New York Yankees priority is to sign one, or possibly two, free-agent starting pitchers such as Milwaukee Brewers SP CC Sabathia, Toronto Blue Jays SP A.J. Burnett or Los Angeles Dodgers SP Derek Lowe. The Yankees will have roughly $88 million in salary that could be freed up during the offseason. Their next priority will be to re-sign either SP Mike Mussina or SP Andy Pettitte. After that, the team plans to use its pitching prospects to acquire a high-ceiling player at first base or in the outfield.

The Toronto Star's Cathal Kelly reports Toronto Blue Jays SP A.J. Burnett's agent Darek Braunecker said there have been no substantive discussions with the Blue Jays regarding Burnett's deal. Burnett has until 15 days after the World Series to opt out of his contract, and the Blue Jays are waiting for him to do so before negotiating.

Soon-to-be free agent pitcher A.J. Burnett's primary concern is not necessarily money, but the length of the contract, and he may want a five-year deal, according to the Toronto Star.Burnett still must decide to opt out of his current contract in Toronto, but that is a virtual certainty. Considering his injury problems, it sounds insane that any team would give him a five-year deal, but with pitching so sparse, it would not be shocking to see that happen.

According to agent Darek Braunecker, A.J. Burnett and the Blue Jays have had "no substantive discussions" regarding a new contract since the season ended. [...]

Cathal Kelly, of The Toronto Star, reports the Toronto Blue Jays are prepared to offer SP A.J. Burnett a two-year, $30 million extension. That would reshape his existing deal into a four-year, $54 million contract.

A.J. Burnett will likely opt out of his contract with the Toronto Blue Jays and hit the free agent market, according to the New York Post.Should the situation come to fruition, the New York Yankees will make a big push, which makes that his most likely destination.

FOXSports.com's Ken Rosenthal reports the San Diego Padres are likely to wait until Milwaukee Brewers SP CC Sabathia, Toronto Blue Jays SP A.J. Burnett and Los Angeles Dodgers SP Derek Lowe are off the free agent market to begin trade discussion about SP Jake Peavy. The thought is that once those three sign, Peavy's contract will look that much more reasonable. He holds a full no-trade clause through 2010, and the Padres would need to consult with his agent, Barry Axelrod, to determine the teams to which Peavy would approve a trade.