Ken Rosenthal suggests that the Pirates could end up trading for Yankees starting pitcher A.J. Burnett. This isn't the first time we've heard about this rumor, but it seems especially relevant now -- we recently learned that the Pirates made offers for Edwin Jackson and at least tried to pursue Roy Oswalt, but were unsuccessful, and a recent report from the New York Post claims that the Yankees are trying to unload salary.
↵↵↵The Yankees, according to the New York Post, want to clear money so they can re-sign both free agent infielder Eric Chavez and add a left-handed designated hitter such as Raul Ibanez, Johnny Damon or Hideki Matsui.
↵Even a minimal savings on the $33 million left on the final two years of Burnett’s contract would help achieve the team achieve that goal.
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Burnett has a limited no-trade clause, but he can't block a trade to the Pirates.
↵Burnett is seen as a frustrating figure in New York, but he could potentially do much better moving out of the AL East and into the NL Central.
↵For more on the Pirates, check out Bucs Dugout.