TAMPA — According to multiple sources, the Yankees and Pirates are nearing a deal that would send A.J. Burnett to the Pirates for two marginal prospects. Pittsburgh 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 Pirates initially 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 on their team.
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 the right-hander went 13-9 with a 4.04 ERA in 33 games and won a World Series game.
However, 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 2/3 innings a season.
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 him report Sunday and work out Monday, the first day of pitchers and catchers in spring training at George M. Steinbrenner Field.