The Blue Jays aren't waiting to see if right-hander A.J. Burnett intends to opt out of his contract at the end of the season.
According to reports, the Jays are shopping him with the hope of trading him by the July 31 non-waiver deadline. The Jays have apparently had trade talks with a number of teams regarding Burnett, who is in the third year of a five-year, $55 million contract. Burnett is owed $12 million in each of the final two years and can opt out of his contract with the Jays at the end of this season.
Scouts from the Philadelphia Phillies and the Baltimore Orioles have been following Burnett, who is due to start in Friday's game against the Angels.
According to an unidentified American League general manager, "They're offering Burnett to any team that needs pitching."
The source said that in return the Jays are seeking an everyday shortstop.
Currently, the Jays are rotating three players through the shortstop position -- David Eckstein, who was signed to a one-year, $4.5 million contract last offseason; John McDonald, who was signed to a two-year deal worth $3.8 million at the end of the 2007 season; and Marco Scutaro, who was obtained from Oakland.
