There’re four clubs interested in acquiring AJ Burnett NY Yankees’ left-hander

The suggested trade between the NY Yankees and Pittsburgh that could make A.J. Burnett a Pirate is close but not quite completed, and there are pointers that the Yankees are pressuring Pittsburgh to sweeten its offer for the beleaguered 35-year-old right-hander.

According to resources on both sides of the agreement who spoke on the condition of privacy, there’s still optimism that a trade would be finished, maybe as fast as this week, but there were still major hurdles to be cleared. Internet Sportsbook

“We are in stare-down manner,” an official with direct knowledge of the talks claimed.

The Angels also have attraction in Burnett, but LA is on Burnett’s no-trade list. There has been no signal that Burnett will waive the clause to play on the West Coast. Sports Betting

Former Yankee Bobby Abreu could be the target for NY. Abreu is owed $9 million from the Angels, who don’t appear to have a spot for him to play continually. Sources still are of the opinion that the Pirates are the favorites to obtain Burnett, but no offer has been agreed to yet.

And the appearance of a new player, the Cleveland Indians, in the mix complicates matters further.

Although 1 source that’s close to Burnett characterized an agreement between the Yankees and Pirates as “imminent,” a source in the Yankees organization said the Pirates would need to sweeten their offer before something is done.

“I might still say it is 50-50 the deal gets done,” the team source related, “but I wouldn’t use the word ‘imminent.”

Right now, the framework of the deal has the Yankees exchanging Burnett for an unverified number of prospects, and in exchange, the Pirates would consent to presume a portion of the leftover $33 million on Burnett’s deal, that has 2 more years remaining on it.

“10 million ain’t gonna get it done,” announced the Yankees source, talking about the amount of Burnett’s income the Pirates have concluded to pay. “Not unless we get top-level contemplations.”

The Pirates’ highest-rated prospect, right-handed pitcher Gerrit Cole, is not among the players being offered in the agreement.

“The greater the players they give us, the less cash they must pay, and vice versa,” said the Yankees source, who added that 3 other franchises were still interested in Burnett. A source related that the Yankees took a phone call from the Indians regarding Burnett.

“Pittsburgh is still the front-runner here,” the source said, “but a lot of things can happen. We could make a deal with them, we could come to an agreement with a second club or we may not make an agreement at all.”

Burnett’s representative, Darek Braunecker, asserted in a telephone interview that Burnett was ready for any event. “He wasn’t blindsided by this,” Braunecker said. “He knew the Yankees added pitching in the offseason and he knew there may be contest in spring training, and he was anticipating it. He was excited about it.”

Asked if Burnett would be well placed to resume a profitable working relationship with the Yankees should the suggested deal fall to bits, Braunecker said, “Unquestionably. He is a pro and he always had a good relationship with the Yankees and [CEO] Brian Cashman. He has been around a while and knows what the contract is.”