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	The Blue Jays have made the opening bid in the A.J. Burnett sweepstakes. Jeff Gross/Getty Images

The Blue Jays appear to be making a pre-emptive strike in a bid to land free-agent pitcher A.J. Burnett. Sources said yesterday that the Jays have offered a five-year, $50-million US contract to the 28-year-old right-hander. Burnett's agent, Darek Braunecker, would neither confirm nor deny that the Jays made an offer.
-- Toronto Sun

A.J. Burnett's agent confirmed Thursday that he and his client had dinner with Cardinals general manager Walt Jocketty, assistant GM John Mozeliak and [Tony] La Russa on Tuesday evening in North Hollywood, Fla.
-- St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Washington Nationals officials met with right-hander A.J. Burnett , the prize of the free agent pitching crop, on Wednesday night in Miami, the first step in what is expected to be a lengthy process of courting the former Florida Marlin.
-- Washington Post

The Rangers may be out of the A.J. Burnett sweepstakes before Thanksgiving. Rangers general manager Jon Daniels said Thursday he believes the claim of Burnett's agent, Darek Braunecker that there are already two five-year offers on the table for the 28-year-old right-hander. Daniels was not optimistic about the Rangers' willingness to give five years to any pitcher.
-- Dallas Morning News

The Rangers are showing serious interest in free-agent pitcher Matt Morris. His agent, Barry Axelrod, said Thursday that Morris also has interest in pitching for the Rangers, and the two are having ongoing discussions.
-- Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Padres General Manager Kevin Towers declined to discuss David Wells yesterday for fear it might be construed as tampering
-- San Diego Union-Tribune

Atlanta's Dayton Moore took himself out of the running for Red Sox general manager Tuesday, joining Kevin Towers, Doug Melvin, J.P. Ricciardi, Brian Sabean, Terry Ryan, Chris Antonetti and Tony LaCava in the long list of those who've said ''not interested" to Larry Lucchino.
-- Boston Globe

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