TAMPA — The A.J. Burnett Era in The Bronx will end today or tomorrow.
According to multiple sources, the Yankees and Pirates are nearing a deal that would send the right-hander to Pittsburgh for two marginal prospects. The Pirates would absorb $13 million to $15 million of the $33 million Burnett is owed this season and next.
“It will happen this weekend,’’ a person familiar with the deal predicted. “Probably Saturday.’’
The optimism that a deal can get finished flows from the Pirates increasing their obligation of the $33 million. Initially, they offered to pay $10 million but the Yankees then demanded a significant prospect if they were going to pick up $23 million for a pitcher not throwing for them.
So, an undertaking the Yankees started in early December will close the Burnett Era. Signed to a five-year deal worth $82.5 million after the 2008 season, Burnett helped the Yankees win the World Series in 2009 when he went 13-9 with a 4.04 ERA in 33 games and won a World Series game.
Nevertheless, the 35-year-old struggled the past two seasons, and the Yankees targeted moving him after last year in order to trim payroll. In three Yankees seasons, Burnett was 34-35 with a 4.79 ERA in 99 games (98) starts and averaged 194 2/3rd innings a season.
While Raul Ibanez appears to be the Yankees’ choice to fill the left-handed DH hole over Johnny Damon, the Yankees are waiting to complete the Burnett deal before addressing that issue. It’s possible the Yankees can sign Ibanez and reserve backup corner infielder Eric Chavez.
Early yesterday, Yankees pitching coach Larry Rothschild said it wouldn’t have been awkward if Burnett was among the group of seven starters reporting Sunday.
“No, not at all,’’ Rothschild said. “Who knows what will happen. I go with the players who are here. I like being around A.J. He is a good guy to be around so I have no problems.’’
Because the Yankees have been shopping Burnett since early December the feeling in the organization is that it would be awkward for each side to have Burnett report Sunday and work out Monday, the first day of pitcher’s and catchers’ workouts at George M Steinbrenner Field.
Rothschild said the reason seeing Burnett Sunday or Monday wouldn’t have created tension is Burnett’s listening skills.
“A.J. is an easy person to talk to,’’ Rothschild said.
Rothschild has spoken several times to Burnett but kept the words strictly to pitching and mechanics.
“I don’t want to be in that loop right now,’’ Rothschild said of trade talks. “He is coming here as one of our starting pitchers.’’
Make that, “He was.’’