The St. Louis Cardinals have told free-agent pitcher A.J. Burnett to take it or leave it and he’s apparently leaving it. Burnett is close to signing a five-year deal worth $55-million. The Cardinals told Burnett’s agent that their offer of around $40-million over four years will stand.
Burnett was 12-12 with a 3.44 ERA with the Marlins in 2005.
The Cardinals did make some moves on Monday, as the winter meetings began in Dallas. They signed free agent catcher Gary Bennett from the Nationals and infielder Deivi Cruz from the Giants.
Bennett played 68 games for Washington in 2005 and hit .221.
Cruz played in 101 games with San Francisco and Washington last season and had a batting average of .265.
Both are expected to play back-up roles for the Cardinals.
