MLB

BRONX BUMMER: BURNETT MAY NOT WANT TO BE A YANK

PHILADELPHIA – The Yankees are willing to spend big glue to repair their starting rotation. But are they able?

With C.C. Sabathia looking to stay in the NL and liking Southern California, the only way the Yankees land the left-handed stud is by offering him far more than anybody else. He is expected to exceed the $137.5 million the Mets dropped on Johan Santana after acquiring him from the Twins last year.

And now word is spreading that A.J. Burnett will shy away from The Bronx, too.

If Sabathia and Burnett don’t want the Yankees’ money, the Yanks will be left to dance with Ben Sheets, Derek Lowe, Ryan Dempster and Oliver Perez.

Burnett’s agent, Darek Braunecker, denied his client has ruled out the Yankees.

“That is 100-percent wrong,” Braunecker said. “If he does indeed opt out of the deal [with Toronto] he will see if the Yankees are interested.”

Burnett, who went 18-10 with a 4.07 ERA and fanned 231 in 2211/3 innings for the Blue Jays this past season, can opt out of the final two years ($12 million each) of his contract following the World Series.

While the Blue Jays hope they can keep him – even after he files for free agency – it’s likely that the career 87-76 right-hander lands in another uniform.

Texas and Washington expressed strong interest the last time he was a free agent with the Nationals, the only team to offer a fifth year. Tired of losing and watching the Rays join the Red Sox and Yankees as AL East powers, Orioles owner Peter Angelos is talking about going after first baseman Mark Teixeira and Burnett. Each is from Maryland.

Without Sabathia or Burnett, the Yankees would have to take a harder look at Sheets, whose stuff is electric but has had a very difficult time staying healthy. Lowe is battle tested in the AL East from his Boston days but his first choice is to remain a Dodger.

So, all that money the Yankees have budgeted for pitching help my stay in the vault.

george.king@nypost.com