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Yankees, Pirates Agree On A.J. Burnett Deal

NEW YORK (WFAN/AP) -- A.J. Burnett is headed to Pittsburgh.

The Yankees agreed Friday to trade the much maligned starter to Pittsburgh for two minor leaguers, a deal that clears the way New York to add Raul Ibanez.

Pittsburgh will pay $13 million of the $33 million salary due Burnett for 2012 and 2013, reported CBSSports.com and WFAN's Jon Heyman.

New York will receive 25-year-old right-hander Diego Moreno and 20-year-old outfielder Exicardo Cayones, both low-level prospects.

The agreement is subject to Burnett passing a physical, which is likely to take place Sunday. Commissioner Bud Selig also must approve it because of the money involved.

"I think he's looking forward to the opportunity to re-establish himself and mentor some of the young pitchers," said Burnett's agent, Darek Braunecker.

Braunecker said Burnett planned to be at the Pirates' spring training complex in Bradenton, Fla., on Sunday.

The Yankees will now focus on adding two bats to their bench. Their top two choices are utility infielder Eric Chavez and veteran outfielder Raul Ibanez, Heyman reported.

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

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

Burnett became superfluous when the Yankees acquired Michael Pineda from Seattle in a trade and agreed to a one-year deal with free agent Hiroki Kuroda. They joined holdovers CC Sabathia, Ivan Nova, Phil Hughes and Freddy Garcia.

In Pittsburgh, Burnett joins 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.

Burnett already has received $2,062,500 of his salary for this year because the Yankees pay him in twice-monthly installments over the entire year rather than from April to September, which is the major league standard. Of the remaining $14,437,500, Pittsburgh will pay $5 million and the Yankees $9,437,500. Next year the Pirates will pay $8 million and the Yankees $8.5 million.

Both prospects appear to have little chance of making it to the majors any time soon.

Moreno was 2-4 with a 3.21 ERA and 31 strikeouts in 33 2-3 innings last year during 34 relief appearances for Bradenton of the Florida State League and 0-0 with a 4.91 ERA in seven games with Double-A Altoona.

Cayones was 2 for 32 (.063) for State College of the New York-Penn League and 24 for 98 (.293) with no homers and 12 RBIs for the Gulf Coast Pirates last year.

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(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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