"The Yankees and Pirates are continuing to talk about a possible A.J. Burnett trade that could lead to more activity in the form of a couple free-agent signings by the Yankees. As of Thursday night, the teams were thought to be a few million apart in the Burnett negotiations, but they were still talking and there is some hope for a deal."
"The Yankees, in a twist, want to clear some money to sign their preferred positional candidates. They are considering Raul Ibanez and Johnny Damon as possible DH candidates and Eric Chavez as a reserve."That "a few million apart" makes me confident. This was last night after the Pirates turned down the Garrett Jones offer. The two sides were still talking and it seems to just come down to money. Pittsburgh doesn't have to give away major league players, if players at all. The Yankees just want some money room to sign Raul Ibanez with. That's it. The Pirates just need to meet the Yankees in the middle and add a million or three to what they are willing to pay of Burnett's contract.
The Pirates would have been stupid to just jump at the first offer. They realize that they have some leverage here and they are working the Yankees down, and I really think it's working.
A.J. Burnett is a Pittsburgh Pirate before pitchers and catchers report. McBook it.