DALLAS — Trying to compete in the AL East, the Toronto Blue Jays pushed their pitching investment past the $100 million mark by giving A.J. Burnett a $55 million, five-year contract.

One week after giving reliever B.J. Ryan a $47 million, five-year deal, the splurging Blue Jays landed the top starting pitcher on the free-agent market, one they hope will help them overtake the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox.

"Sooner, rather than later, we're going to see a new team on top there," Burnett said.

On the trade front, the San Francisco Giants sent right-hander LaTroy Hawkins to the Baltimore Orioles.

The Cincinnati Reds reached a preliminary agreement to send first baseman Sean Casey to the Pittsburgh Pirates for left-hander Dave Williams, a deal subject to physicals.

There also was talk the San Diego Padres would deal third baseman Sean Burroughs to the Tampa Bay Devil Rays for right-hander Dewon Brazelton, and that the Chicago Cubs would acquire center fielder Juan Pierre from the Florida Marlins.

Among free agents, Cleveland was negotiating with closer Trevor Hoffman and the Seattle Mariners were said to be talking with Kevin Millwood. San Diego improved its proposal to retain Hoffman, offering a deal with a 2008 option that could become guaranteed under certain conditions.

Designated hitter Mike Piazza appears to be attracting interest from the Los Angeles Angels, Seattle, Minnesota and Toronto.

Officials of the New York Mets had a meeting with the Red Sox on Monday and discussed Manny Ramirez. The Mets are waiting for the Red Sox to get back to them with what it would take to put together a deal for the 2004 World Series MVP, who wants out of Boston.

Mets general manager Omar Minaya also called New York pitcher Kris Benson to discuss trade rumors.

"I'm getting calls on him," Minaya said. "His name is out there. It's a hot name right now."

Houston Astros officials said they wouldn't decide until today whether to offer salary arbitration to 43-year-old Roger Clemens, who hasn't decided whether to retire or pitch next year. If the seven-time Cy Young Award winner isn't offered arbitration by the 11 p.m. deadline, he couldn't re-sign with his hometown team until May 1.

"It's a gut-wrenching, agonizing decision," Astros general manager Tim Purpura said. "From a talent point of view, I don't want to lose him. I also realize we need to improve our clubs. It's very difficult for me to move forward in doing that if I have such uncertainty."

Toronto hasn't finished first in the AL East since winning the 1993 World Series. General manager J.P. Ricciardi, given a three-year contract extension through 2010 on Tuesday, has been aggressive in his pursuit of pitching.

Baseball officials believe the deals for Burnett and Ryan were the first five-year contracts given to pitchers since Chan Ho Park's $65 million deal with Texas in December 2001.

Burnett followed Josh Beckett, Mike Lowell, Carlos Delgado, Luis Castillo and Paul Lo Duca out of Florida, where the Marlins are cutting payroll because they haven't gotten funding for a new ballpark.

Marlins president David Samson visited San Antonio on Tuesday as part of a preliminary search for a possible new home for the team. Samson said the city was the first stop on a tour that will last three to five months.

"We're not a free-agent pitcher. We're a team looking for a right fit," Samson said.

A 28-year-old right-hander with a 98 mph fastball, Burnett also was pursued by St. Louis — however, the Cardinals offered only four years.

He had a 49-50 career record with the Marlins, missing almost all of the 2003 season. He returned following reconstructive elbow surgery and was 12-12 with a 3.44 ERA last season. Florida banished him during the final week after he criticized manager Jack McKeon and coaches.

"Sometimes there's personality conflicts," Toronto manager John Gibbons said. "He was frustrated. Things were said he probably regrets."