A.J. Burnett

Written by The Oriole Post | 17 February 2012

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It looks like A.J. Burnett - who had a rocky tenure with the Yankees - is heading to Pittsburgh as a member of the Pirates.

I mean, I know the Orioles and Yankees probably would be hesistant to do business with one another considering they are in the same division and are rivals; however, with the lack of effective, consistent starting pitching in Baltimore, could he have been a option via trade?

That is, if the Orioles even pushed that notion.

Burnett has got good stuff, can be an effective power arm -- if he could ever be consistent.

Burnett has family from Maryland ... you know, I'm just saying.

The Pirates and New York Yankees have agreed to a trade that would send right-hander A.J. Burnett to Pittsburgh and are awaiting approval from the commissioner's office Friday, sources said.

The Pirates will send right-handed reliever Diego Moreno and outfielder Exicardo Cayones to New York in return, sources said. Moreno, a 25-year-old from Venezuela, has split the past two seasons between the Class A and Double-A minor league teams. Cayones, who is 20, spent 2011 in Class A.

The approval of the commissioner's office is needed because of the money involved. The Pirates will pay $13 million of the $31.1 million remaining on Burnett's contract, sources said (Burnett is on a year-round contract and already has been paid $1.9 million in 2012).

As a Yankee the past three seasons, Burnett is 34-35 with a 4.79 ERA. He is 121-111 with a 4.10 ERA in 13 seasons with the Yankees, Blue Jays and Marlins.