Blue Jays interested in RHP Burnett, not LF Ramirez

Oct 23, 2008 - 12:55 AM LOS ANGELES (Ticker) -- J.P. Ricciardi set the record straight on Wednesday.

The Toronto Blue Jays general manager told Fox Sports that prize free-agent-to-be Manny Ramirez is not in the club's immediate plans when the Major League Baseball signing period officially begins.

"Manny is not priority No. 1. I can't even say he's priority No. 2," Ricciardi told Fox Sports. "It would really be a long shot for us to bring him to Toronto. He's on our radar, but maybe not on our radar like some people will report.

"I don't see us getting involved in unbelievable, astronomical numbers. We would not go down that path."

The path the Blue Jays will travel, according to Ricciardi, is attempting to sign righthander A.J. Burnett, who is expected to exercise the opt-out clause in his contract.

Burnett posted an 18-10 record with a 4.07 ERA and an American League leading 231 strikeouts this season.

In his career, the 31-year-old Burnett is 87-76 with a 3.81 ERA with the Florida Marlins and Blue Jays.

For his part, Ramirez batted .332 while belting 37 homers and knocking in 121 RBI this season.

Ramirez, who has 537 homers in his career, would be beneficial to a team which finished 24th in home runs and 23rd in slugging percentage.