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Report: Yankees, Pirates Trying To Close Gap In A.J. Burnett Trade

NEW YORK (WFAN/AP) — The Yankees and Pirates have made progress toward a trade that would send much-maligned pitcher A.J. Burnett to Pittsburgh, according to multiple reports.

The Associated Press reported Pittsburgh would pay at least $10 million of the $33 million Burnett is owed in the final two seasons of his $82.5 million, five-year contract. The exact amount of money involved in the trade depends on the quality of the prospects the Yankees would receive, the AP's source said.

Meanwhile, the New York Post says the momentum "stayed strong" for a deal to get done, though the teams are still apart on money and prospects. The Cleveland Indians could enter the mix "as a way to bridge the gap," the paper reported.

Burnett, a 35-year-old right-hander, has struggled to a 34-35 record and 4.79 ERA during three seasons with New York and went 11-11 with a 5.15 ERA last year. His average of 3.98 walks per nine innings is second in the AL and fifth in the majors during that span among pitchers with 400 or more innings, according to STATS LLC.

New York appears to have an excess of starting pitchers after acquiring Michael Pineda from Seattle in a trade and agreeing to a one-year deal with free agent Hiroki Kuroda. They join holdovers CC Sabathia, Ivan Nova, Phil Hughes and Freddy Garcia.

In addition, the Yankees think highly of four starting prospects, right-handers Adam Warren, Dellin Betances and David Phelps, and left-hander Manny Banuelos. All are likely to start the season at Triple-A.

Burnett would join a rotation that includes newly signed Erik Bedard and returnees James McDonald, Kevin Correia and Jeff Karstens. Charlie Morton is recovering from hip surgery in October. When Morton is available, Karstens could return to the bullpen and spot starts.

According to WFAN's Sweeny Murti, the Bucs believe Burnett could thrive in a low-pressure market. The Pirates are not one of the 10 teams listed in Burnett's no-trade clause, Murti reported last week.

Yankees fans, will a deal get done on Tuesday? Make your prediction below...

(TM and Copyright 2012 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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