Per Ken Rosenthal:
The Red Sox are planning a major push for Blue Jays right-hander A.J. Burnett, according to a rival executive. Burnett, 31, is almost certain to opt out of his contract and become a free agent at the end of the season. Since joining the Jays in 2006, he is 4-0 with a 2.70 ERA in six starts against the Red Sox.
Burnett is 16-10 with a 4.48 ERA in 29 starts and one relief appearance this year comprising 189.1 innings. He has a reputation (deservedly so) for being injury prone, but there’s no denying his talent. With everyone else fighting over CC Sabathia and Ben Sheets, A.J. would be a nice “consolation” prize. It does throw into question, however, what the Red Sox see occurring with Clay Buccholz, Michael Bowden, Justin Masterson, et. al. Thoughts?