Braves Call To Arms Continues With Burnett; Make Pitcher An Offer

December 4, 2008 7:15 p.m. EST

Atlanta, GA (AHN) - Free agent right-hander A.J. Burnett could be headed back to the NL East after the Atlanta Braves expressed huge interest on luring the reigning strikeout leader to their fold for next season.

The soon-to-be-32-year-old Burnett is reportedly being offered a four-year deal that would pay him around $16 million per year.

The offer also reportedly includes a fifth-year option on innings-based incentives, though general manager Frank Wren declined to confirm the details.

The Braves aren't finished in stocking up their rotation, which received a major boost with the addition of former Chicago White Sox pitcher Javier Vazquez earlier in the week.

Burnett, who started his career with the rival Florida Marlins, would certainly add another huge dimension to the Braves' pitching corps.

The 18-game winner registered career-highs in wins, innings pitched and strikeouts with the Blue Jays last season.

Arguably the best free-agent pitcher in the market after CC Sabathia, Burnett is also drawing interest from other teams namely the New York Yankees, Philadelphia, the New York Mets and Toronto.

Another former front-runner in the Burnett chase, the Boston Red Sox, has reportedly lagged behind after paying a close watch to their ex-pitcher, free-agent Derek Lowe.