Report: Phils Pursuing AJ Burnett

Jeff Blair of the Globe and Mail out of Toronto writes in his blog the Phillies are looking very hard at Toronto starter AJ Burnett. The top prizes of the market — CC Sabathia and Rich Harden — are off the board, and Erik Bedard has hit the DL. Burnett would be the logical choice for the Phils.

Blair writes:

“Still, the Phillies are a logical suitor. First, both organizations are familiar with each other’s minor league systems since the proximity of spring training and minor league facilities makes it easy to schedule games in the spring. Second, the Phillies believe that their proximity to Burnett’s off-season home in the suburbs of Baltimore makes it more likely that Burnett might not opt out of the final two years of his contract, in effect making him more than a rental player. Burnett has two more years on his contract after this season, worth $12 million per year, and that’s actually below market-value considering the absurd price for pitching. The Blue Jays, rest assured, will try to sell the Phillies on that notion since it would increase Burnett’s value.”

According to Blair, the Blue Jays are very interested in Greg Golson. They would want one of Golson, Carlos Carrasco or Lou Marson included in a deal, along with other players such as Jason Donald and Brad Harman.