MLB Trade Rumors: Yankees A.J. Burnett Targeted by Pirates, Indians, Angels

Earlier this week much of the A.J. Burnett trade rumors involved the pending details of a deal between the Pirates and Yankees.  While Pittsburgh still appears to be Burnett’s most likely landing spot, most of yesterday’s news surrounded the other teams targeting the right-hander.  Beyond the Pirates, the Indians and Angels are said to be expressing interest in Burnett.

Yesterday morning, the overall feeling was that, while a trade between the Pirates and Yankees was not yet completed, it would eventually get done.

Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports got Tuesday kicked off by detailing the negotiation process between Pittsburgh and New York.  According to Rosenthal, the teams were trying to decide which players would be heading from the Pirates to the Yankees in exchange for Burnett.  Rosenthal added that some “Yankees people” oppose trading Burnett and feel that the club could get more for the veteran at the trade deadline.

The New York Post’s Joel Sherman added that the Burnett-to-Pirates momentum remained strong, but that the Yankees were discussing a possible trade with two other clubs.  Sherman said that if the Pirates were willing to take on more of Burnett’s salary the Yankees would accept lesser prospects.

Yesterday afternoon talk began to center on the two other clubs that expressed interest in Burnett; the Angels and Indians.  While the fact that Los Angeles is on Burnett’s no-trade list stymied talk of a trade, rumors began to swirl involving the Indians.

Initial discussions between the Indians and Yankees apparently centered on a Burnett for Travis Hafner swap.  New York would be able to shed an unnecessary piece and pick up a designated hitter while the Indians would add an arm to their rotation.

However, before the day ended it was reported by MLB.com’s Bryan Hoch that, while a deal involving Hafner and Burnett was discussed, it was no longer on the table.  Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com finished off Tuesday’s rumor mill by reporting that a fourth team had contacted the Yankees about Burnett.

For more on the Yankees, be sure to check out Yanks Go Yard.

You can follow Call to the Pen on Twitter at @FSCalltothePen or like us here on Facebook.