MLB.com’s Mark Bowman chatted with A.J. Burnett’s agent, Darek Braunecker. Braunecker is confident he can get a five-year deal for Burnett, though a fifth year is not necessarily a requirement. A four-year deal is possible if the average annual value is significantly higher. My feeling: why pay Burnett $72MM over four years if you could get that fifth year for a marginal $8MM?
The Braves and Burnett still have mutual interest, and Braunecker characterized talks as positive. Bowman also talked to Chipper Jones, who had kind words for Burnett. Bowman believes Jones will feel more comfortable about finishing his career with the Braves if they sign Burnett.
