Burnett was 18-10 in 35 starts with Toronto last season, winning 10 of his final 12 decisions. He then signed an $82.5 million, five-year contract with the New York Yankees.

"We would have loved to either have A.J. back or go out and get a couple of arms," said Roy Halladay, 20-11 with a 2.78 ERA last season. "But I think financially, it's just a situation we weren't able to do. You're always disappointed when you're unable to bring back guys that helped you.

"I think for the most part there are enough options here to try and field as competitive team as we can, and that's probably the way it's going to be the rest of the spring," he said.

More than probably, Blue Jays general manager J.P. Ricciardi said, giving a firm no when asked Saturday if he's looking at potential free agents or trades to replace Burnett.

"Our team is pretty much what it is right now," Ricciardi said. "We don't have the resources to go out and get someone. That's just the reality of our situation."

The Blue Jays went 86-76 last year and led the majors with a 3.49 ERA.

Notes: Former All-Star 2B Roberto Alomar is welcome to join the Blue Jays as a guest instructor in spring training. "He's never been uninvited," Ricciardi said. An ex-girlfriend filed suit against the 41-year-old Alomar this week, alleging he insisted on unprotected sex for four years despite having AIDS. ... RHP Casey Janssen, who missed the entire 2008 season with a shoulder injury, is being stretched out as a potential starter. He was 6-10 with a 5.07 ERA in that role in 2006, but did well as a setup man (2.35 ERA) in 2007 because of an excess of starting pitching. LHP Scott Downs, who was being considered as a potential starter, will remain the Blue Jays' setup man for now.