the cardinals have added gary bennett and deivi cruz to their bench. i'll look `em up and offer some opinions later tonite.
ok, back to burnett . . . . .
still no resolution to these interminable negotiations, of which even your faithful correspondent is nauseatingly sick. turns out the great gammons --- like brian walton earlier today --- jumped the gun this afternoon when he reported an imminent signing. turns out the deal ain't anywhere near imminent, and all parties are retiring for the evening.
i have found scout.com's Inside the Dome to be the single best source of information throughout this awful affair. here are the contemporaneous updates they published today:
Walt Jocketty has a meeting scheduled with Darek Braunecker later this evening. Reports of Burnett agreeing with the Blue Jays are premature.
Monday 6:30 PM
Toronto officials are not answering their phones. This is normally a sign that a move could be near.
Monday 6:45 PM
Some baseball officials believe the Cardinals could offer Burnett the fifth year he is asking for at the very last second. The Cardinals current offer is more than the Blue Jays offer in terms of the AAV (Average Annual Value). The Blue Jays have five-years on the table, the Cardinals have four years.
Monday 6:55 PM
InsideTheDome has learned the Cardinals could make the fifth option year kick in 'very easily' as a compromise.
Jocketty has spoken to Dewitt and Co. about a guaranteed 5th year, but whether or not they gave him permission remains to be seen.
Jocketty said down here in Dallas just a few short minutes ago that Burnett is still their main target.
jock didn't fall for it.
i will be back with more later tonight. this all sucks, it truly sucks.