A.J. Burnett tells Blue Jays he'll opt out of deal

A.J. Burnett told the Toronto Blue Jays on Tuesday that he will opt out of the remaining two seasons of his $55 million, five-year contract.

The pitcher will forfeit $24 million and can file for free agency. His contract called for a $6 million signing bonus, a $1 million salary in 2006 and $12 million in the remaining seasons.

Blue Jays general manager J.P. Ricciardi said talks will continue on the possibility of a new deal for the hard-throwing right-hander, who turns 32 in January.

"We have a good dialogue going," Ricciardi said at the general managers' meetings. "They're going to get back to us later in the week."

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