MLB Trade Rumors: Pirates “Frontrunner” for Yankees A.J. Burnett

Yesterday morning we looked at how there were reportedly four clubs interested in Yankees right-hander A.J. Burnett.  While the Pirates remained the frontrunner, the Yankees are said to be exploring all of their options.  Throughout the day we discovered the terms of the talks between Pittsburgh and New York, and guesses were made regarding the names of the other clubs interested in Burnett.

Buster Olney of ESPN called the Pirates the frontrunners for Burnett yesterday morning.  Olney notedthat Pittsburgh and New York have the framework of a possible deal involving Burnett in place.

Still, the Yankees and Pirates didn’t pull the trigger on a trade yesterday, and Joel Sherman of the New York Post thinks it’s because the Bombers are weighing their options.  Sherman tweeted that the Yankees are confident they can get a deal done with the Pirates, and that they are now making sure that no better trade options are out there.

At this point it appears the Pirates and Yankees have settled on money that will exchange hands in a potential trade.  The issue that seems to be holding up a transaction is the prospects involved.

Pittsburgh is more comfortable eating money than dealing players, and it seems as if the Pirates are set to take on $13-15 million of Burnett’s remaining contract.  That number was $10 million Saturday, but New York was reportedly not satisfied.

While the money might be right, Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reported yesterday that the Yankees are not in love with the minor leaguers the Pirates have on the table for Burnett.  Marc Craig of the New Jersey Star-Ledger tweeted last evening that the Yankees are insistent on getting the right players and are not looking to simply give away Burnett.

While these negotiations are ongoing, Sherman guessed that two of the other clubs reportedly interested in Burnett could be the Indians and Royals.  While nothing has been finalized and outside teams could still get in on the trade talks, it appears that it’s only a matter of time before A.J. Burnett is joins the Pirates.

For more on the Yankees and Pirates, be sure to check out Yanks Go Yard and Rum Bunter.

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