Darek Braunecker didn’t place his right hand on a bible and take an oath, but he spoke clearly and sincerely. “We’re not going to be making an announcement during the fourth game of the World Series,” he said.

It was exactly one year ago, during the fourth game of the World Series, that Scott Boras or one of his aides leaked word that Boras client Alex Rodriguez was opting out of his contract with the Yankees. That unpopular episode was what Braunecker alluded to with his recent remark.

Braunecker is the agent for A.J. Burnett, the enigmatic Toronto pitcher, who has until 15 days after the end of the World Series to decide if he wants to opt out of his 5-year, $55 million contract with the Blue Jays.

Burnett, who will be 32 before next season, has two years remaining on the contract at a salary of $12 million a year. Having had the finest season of his nine-year career this season, Burnett will most likely opt out of the contract seeking more years and more money, and, with good pitching so sorely sought by many teams, including wealthy ones, he will most likely get both.

The Blue Jays could short-circuit his decision by negotiating a rich extension with him. “We had dialogue with the Blue Jays,” Braunecker said. “We had negotiations with them. We’re taking the information from the club and applying it to a decision. We still have not made a determination.  There are a number of things he is considering.”

If Burnett opts out of the contract and for free agency, he will be the second most attractive pitcher on the market. CC Sabathia will be No. 1.

Burnett had his best season in 2008, reaching career highs with 18 victories, 231 strikeouts and 221 1/3 innings. More impressive was his performance in the final 15 of his 34 starts. He had a 9-2 record and a 2.72 earned run average. He also won 10 of his last 12 decisions and 12 of his last 15.

Included in that period of pretty pitching were two starts on three days’ rest, one against the Yankees, the other against the Red Sox. He won both games, allowing one earned run in a combined 14 1/3 innings.

But even more impressive, Burnett did not spend a day on the disabled list. That was a remarkable feat for a pitcher who has been on the disabled list the equivalent of 3.2 seasons out of nine years. He has been on the list 10 times for a total of 589 days.

“You can discount the first four trips to the d.l.,” Braunecker said, “because they were all non-baseball related injuries. He had freak injuries unrelated to baseball issues. The only setback he had was the Tommy John surgery. He came back and pitched a healthy season. Two seasons later he had scar tissue like a lot of Tommy John patients have.”

A general manager had a different take on Burnett’s injury record. “He’s always had electric stuff,” the general manager said, speaking anonymously because he could be accused of tampering for talking about another team’s player.  “But when he can be a free agent, you don’t see him on the disabled list.”

Burnett has avoided the disabled list in only two seasons – 2005 and this year. He was a free agent following the 2005 season and signed his $55 million contract. He can opt out of that contract and be a free agent this year. The general manager knew what he was talking about.

As for the times Burnett has been on the disabled list, Braunecker said, “I think that’s something each club has to consider for itself.”

Besides Burnett’s injury-free season, the agent sees a more intriguing development.

“You’re talking about a guy who is finally on the verge of figuring it out for the first time in his career,” Braunecker said. “I’m not saying he’s completely figured it out, but he’s close to figuring it out.”

And what is Burnett figuring out? “For the first time in his career he didn’t go out and try to strike out every hitter,” Braunecker said. “He changed speeds more. Rod Barajas is the guy who is responsible,” he said of the Toronto catcher.

“Halladay has not struck out a lot of guys. Rod forced those guys to throw all their pitches. A.J. still didn’t throw a change. He had always been in the 95-98 range. This year he was 92. He elevated his fastball, elevated the eye level and threw breaking balls in counts where he never threw breaking balls. By taking two steps backward he’s taking a step forward.”
And staying healthy.

Where Have All the G.M.s Gone?

The World Series used to be a gathering place for all of the general managers. No more. This World Series is being played without the presence of a non-competing general manager.

“We were all set to go,” Frank Wren, the Atlanta general manager, said. “Then I called the commissioner’s office to find out the results of a memo they sent out, and they said we were the only ones going. So we decided not to go.”

Omar Minaya, the Mets’ general manager, had a similar experience. He had planned to go, then was told that he and Wren were the ones who responded affirmatively to a memo asking who was going. Not that Minaya had anything against a division rival, but it made no sense to go for business purposes.

“This used to be a great place to gather and talk trade, but it doesn’t happen anymore,” Minaya said. “Last year myself and Doug Melvin were the only ones there.”

Trying to find a reason for the change, Minaya said, “It used to be the World Series would end earlier and there would be separation between the Series and the general managers meetings. Now the World Series ends the last week of October and the g.m.’s meetings start the next week so that doesn’t happen anymore.”

The World Series, Wren said, was the first opportunity to lay the groundwork for trades later in the winter. “It was part of the tradition that we all go to the World Series,” he said. “It’s our crown jewel event. We enjoyed going.”

Wren, who is completing his first year as the Braves’ general manager, said his club had its organizational meetings last week instead to prepare for the general managers meetings, as did a lot of clubs. “It’s probably a better way to do it,” he said.

He watched the World Series games on television, Wren added, “and talked to every general manager on the phone.”

The general managers meetings begin Election Day (Nov. 4) in Dana Point, Calif.

Santana No, Sabathia Si

CC Sabathia will undoubtedly get the largest pay package among free-agent pitchers this off-season, but his destination is uncertain. Reports have said he prefers playing for a team on the West Coast, but that talk has circulated before offers start coming in, which can’t happen for a few more weeks.

When one general manager was asked which team he thought would get Sabathia, he said, “I’m guessing if the Yankees want him, they’ll get him. Nobody’s going to outbid the Yankees.

In the George Steinbrenner years, the Yankees have never been timid about spending. They seriously need starting pitching, and there’s no reason why they wouldn’t go after Sabathia. Unlike Johan Santana, whom the Yankees chose not to trade for last winter, Sabathia would not cost them young players. This winter they could get Sabathia and keep their young players, too.

Yankees Outspend Rays, $222M to $50M

How much did the Yankees spend on their payroll this year? According to data that the commissioner’s office sent to clubs, the Yankees spent $222 million, which placed them at the top of the payroll list, followed by the Red Sox $146 million and the Mets $143 million.

The payrolls are based on 40-man rosters of Aug. 31 and don’t include all earned bonuses. They include base salaries, pro-rated portions of signing bonuses, earned bonuses through Aug. 31, buyouts and cash transactions. In addition, they include the salaries of released players.

Here is the complete list:

Note that the Rays (29^th) are all the way down here, and the Phillies (10^th) are up there, as are the way-up Red Sox (2^nd) and the White Sox (9^th). The Rays defeated the latter two teams in the playoffs and are playing the other team.

Bowa Best? Says Who?

A club executive could almost be heard shaking his head in disgust over the telephone. “Bowa is the best third base coach in the game,” he said, scoffing at what he had heard was written.  “Who comes up with that? Who rates these guys? Because a guy blasts the players and gives you a quote, he’s the best third base coach?”

Larry Bowa’s name had come up in New York newspapers because the Yankees are looking for a third base coach, and Bowa had been the Yankees’ third base coach for two years before moving to Los Angeles with Joe Torre last winter. Bowa was popular with New York writers, who would welcome his return.

The executive wasn’t finished scoffing. “He’s a great coach because he’s giving you information and he’s blasting the players for you,” the executive said. “Come on.”