The free agent hot stove is getting warmer for A.J. Burnett. According to ESPN, Boston Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein talked to Burnett's agent Darek Braunecker on Tuesday to discuss the team's interest in the 2008 American League strikeout leader. That comes at about the same time the New York Post reported that the Yankees, who have already offered free agent pitcher CC Sabthia a six-year contract for $140 million, were preparing an $80 million, five-year deal for the right-handed Burnett.

Braunecker told 1050 ESPN New York radio on Wednesday that he had heard from the Red Sox and that "there is mutual interest." Burnett's agent also said that term is important to his client. "The framework of a deal is five years," Braunecker told the radio station. "If a team can't do that, they will be behind the 8-ball a little bit."

Unconfirmed reports out of Toronto are that the Jays had offered Burnett a four-year deal worth $54 million. The market for the 31-year old Burnett now appears to include the Yankees, Red Sox, Blue Jays, Baltimore Orioles, Atlanta Braves and Philadelphia Phillies. Burnett went 18-10 with a 4.07 ERA for the Blue Jays last season before opting out of the final two seasons of his contract, leaving $24 million on the table.