TORONTO - A.J. Burnett, one of the top free-agent pitchers this offseason, was offered salary arbitration by the Toronto Blue Jays on Monday.

Teams had until midnight to make arbitration offers to their former players who became free agents, and Toronto will receive two extra selections in June’s amateur draft if the right-hander decides to sign with another team.

The Blue Jays declined to offer arbitration to catcher Gregg Zaun.

Burnett went 18-10 with a 4.07 ERA in 34 starts last season and led the American League with 231 strikeouts. He opted out of the final two seasons of his five-year contract, deciding to try free agency and forgo $24 million the Blue Jays would have owed him.

Toronto is hoping to re-sign Burnett but could face stiff competition from several teams, including AL East rivals Boston and the New York Yankees.

Also on NBCSports.com Rosenthal: Steelers’ struggles could sink their playoff hopes Circling the Bases: Halladay to Cubs? That’s unlikely College Football Talk: Weis to resign? That’s ‘not happening’ Opinion: So far, Nowitzki is NBA’s MVP  |  Fan Ranker Twitter: Follow us @nbc_sports

MORE FROM BASEBALL

Baseball Section Front

Mauer vs. Bronx bullies for AL MVP CTB: Handicapping the Halladay chase Blyleven: Pitching to be had beyond Halladay CTB: Should the Yankees get younger? DeMarco: Red Sox should take measured approach CTB: A prediction — Lackey will sign with Yankees CTB: Indians unlikely to deal Wood this offseason CTB: Mets could be interested in Royals’ Guilllen Complete list of free agents Circling the Bases: Blogging on news, rumors, buzz   Baseball Section Front   Add Baseball headlines to your news reader: