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The Philadelphia Phillies interest in A.J. Burnett was established long before C.C. Sabathia and Rich Harden were traded but now the Toronto Blue Jays have reciprocated, dispensing J.P. Ricciardi's top personnel advisor, Tony LaCava, to Reading, Pa., to scout the Double-A Reading Phillies. Phillies officials met Thursday morning, but there is still real concern about Burnett among their upper echelon after his near-meltdown Wednesday night against the Baltimore Orioles and because of his high ERA. And then there's the unspoken but real concern:
How would Burnett handle the scrutiny of the Philadelphia press and, most importantly, it's rabid fan-base?
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.
The Blue Jays, like most major league teams, covet Phillies outfielder Greg Golson, the organization's first pick (21st overall) in 2004. Golson has been out for nearly a month with a fractured ulna bone and torn cartilage in his rest, but he took two rounds of batting practice Tuesday (the first time he's faced live pitching) and is now expected to play in Sunday's All-Star Futures Game at Yankee Stadium. Two other Phillies prospects scheduled to appear in that game, catcher Lou Marson and pitcher Carlos Carrasco, also interest the Blue Jays. Carrasco, the organization's top prospect,[amp]nbsp;was scratched from a July 2 start with shoulder tightness but he threw a bullpen session on Tuesday and is scheduled to start Friday.
[amp]nbsp;The Blue Jays also like infielders Jason Donald and Brad Harman, and would consider them in a multiple-player deal along with one of Carrasco, Goldston or Marson.
Sources say the Blue Jays have also zeroed in on the Los Angeles Dodgers, and have had people at games involving their Single-A Great Lakes Loons affiliate. But the Dodgers are the most difficult organization in baseball with which to strike a deal. The Phillies have also talked to the Dodgers about Derek Lowe's availability.
