AJ or no

The latest:

• Will they or won't they? That's the decisions the Marlins must make in the next few days. ESPN's Peter Gammons writes that Florida must weigh whether they want to deal Burnett before Sunday's deadline. The Marlins have won four of five and are just 4½ games out in both the NL East and the wild-card race. "There are a lot of very good signs, a lot better than last weekend," Marlins GM Larry Beinfest told Gammons. "The last few days we started to play a lot better, the way we're capable of playing."

More interesting Burnett tidbits:

• From Gammons: "There are side factors that are difficult to judge. There is no love lost between the Florida and Boston ownerships, and now that St. John's reliever Craig Hansen has signed with the Red Sox -- after turning down a $2.6 million offer from the Marlins on draft day that would have allowed Hansen to go straight to the big leagues, prompting the Marlins to ask Bud Selig to investigate -- those feelings might be heightened."
  
• Also from Gammons: Burnett, who is in the last year of his contract, "has made it clear that he probably wouldn't sign an extension with the White Sox but would with the Red Sox if the money is right."
  
• From the Chicago Sun-Times: According to a source, "the Florida Marlins still are looking to deal starter A.J. Burnett, and if they pull the trigger, they intend to do it before Burnett pitches again Saturday."
  
• The Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel reported that the Red Sox "were said to be growing frustrated with the Marlins' refusal to return their phone calls."
  
• Are the Red Sox still a player for Burnett? According to Gammons and Monday's Chicago Tribune, the latest buzz had Bronson Arroyo and Sox prospect Anibal Sanchez being offered to the Marlins for Burnett. Arroyo, however, didn't do anything to endear himself to Florida on Sunday. He gave up six runs in 6 2/3 innings, saying afterwards, ''it's the worst curveball I've had in two years with the Red Sox." No Marlins scouts were in attendance.
  
• From Tuesday's Sun-Sentinel: "The Marlins continued to express interest in Pirates left-hander Mark Redman. A key part of the 2003 Marlins, Redman could replace Burnett in the rotation."
  
• According to Monday's Miami Herald, the Marlins have apparently narrowed their focus to the White Sox, who would likely give up minor-league starter Brandon McCarthy and left-handed reliever Damaso Marte (though there have been some reports Marte may be out of the deal) to get Burnett. One potential snag, according to Sunday's Boston Globe, is that the White Sox reportedly will not go through with that deal without signing Burnett to an extension.
  
• The Marlins appear to be backing off their demand that overpriced and underachieving third baseman Mike Lowell be included in any deal for Burnett, according to Sunday's Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel.
  
• According to Gammons, one Sox official says there's "a 25 percent chance (Burnett will) become one of the five best pitchers in the league." Gammons said on Boston sports radio station WEEI 850 AM on Sunday that Burnett would prefer to be dealt to Boston than anywhere else.
  
• According to ESPN.com's Jayson Stark: "One dark horse to watch might be Philadelphia. The Phillies, who have been trying to market Ugueth Urbina and Vicente Padilla for another starter, approached the Marlins this week about whether they'd be willing to trade Burnett within the division. But that would seem like a last option for Florida -- considering all the possibilities it has in the AL."

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