The Cardinals officially have placed themselves in contention for free-agent pitcher A.J. Burnett by breaking precedent with a four-year offer worth almost $10 million per season, sources confirmed Thursday night. Burnett, the centerpiece of the Cardinals' offseason planning so far, is considered the most attractive talent within a relatively thin free-agent pool. The Arkansas native is expected to decide among several offers before Major League Baseball's winter meetings convene Monday in Dallas. Previously unwilling to guarantee more than three years to any starting pitcher, the Redbirds were the last team interested in tendering a proposal late Wednesday night, according to a source familiar with the situation. "I know the plan was to make an offer. It's my understanding we were putting one together," manager Tony La Russa said Thursday night.