BURN NOTICE: Volatile and erratic right-hander A.J. Burnett has tipped his cap for the last time in pinstripes as the Yankees are on the verge of trading him to the Pirates — though what they would get in return is unknown. (
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A.J. Burnett is on the brink of becoming a former Yankees pitcher.
A source yesterday confirmed the Pirates and Yankees have the outline of a trade in place that would send Burnett to Pittsburgh. Three other teams are believed to have interest in the erratic right-hander.
Burnett is owed $33 million over the next two years, and the big issue is how much of that financial obligation the Pirates would assume.
The Yankees are in the market for a left-handed swinging designated hitter and have asked about Garrett Jones, but the Pirates remain reluctant to include him in any deal.
The 30-year-old Jones hit .243 with 16 home runs and 58 RBIs last season, but is still three years away from free agency, making him an attractive right-field option for the Pirates.
At the very least, the Yankees hope to gain enough salary relief in dealing Burnett that they can re-sign Eric Chavez and perhaps add another lefty bat from a group that includes Johnny Damon, Hideki Matsui and Raul Ibanez. As it stands, the Yankees have less than $2 million earmarked for a DH type.
Burnett is 34-35 with a 4.79 ERA in three seasons for the Yankees. The team had hoped to unload him during the winter meetings, but he became more expendable after the Yankees acquired Michael Pineda last month as part of a deal that sent Jesus Montero to the Mariners.
The Yankees will head to spring training with CC Sabathia, Pineda, Ivan Nova and Hiroki Kuroda, who was signed to a free-agent deal, as the top four starters in the rotation. If Burnett is traded, Phil Hughes and Freddy Garcia would be the main competitors for the fifth spot.
The Pirates’ belief is Burnett can thrive at PNC Park, among the most pitcher-friendly ballparks in the major leagues. It’s a sharp contrast to Yankee Stadium, which might be the best hitter’s ballpark in the majors.
Burnett, however, actually pitched better at home than on the road last season. In 18 starts at Yankee Stadium he was 7-6 with a 4.41 ERA. On the road, he was 4-5 with a 6.28 ERA in 15 appearances.
But a change of leagues could benefit Burnett. He had several solid seasons pitching in the NL for the Marlins before signing with the Blue Jays following the 2005 season.
His best season with the Yankees came in 2009, when he finished 13-9 with a 4.04 ERA. But he struggled in the postseason, finishing with a 5.27 ERA in five starts for a team that won the World Series.
Burnett has a limited no-trade list, with 10 teams to which he cannot be traded without his consent. A source indicated the Pirates are not on Burnett’s no-trade list.
The Yankees would like to complete a deal for Burnett before Sunday’s reporting date for pitchers and catchers in Tampa.
Though the Yankees’ rotation depth would take a hit without Burnett, the organization has options such as David Phelps and D.J. Mitchell as possibilities in the minors.
If Hughes loses the battle for the No. 5 spot in the rotation, he could be used in long relief and spot starting duty.