Talks between the Braves and free-agent right-hander A.J. Burnett “progressed through the night,” but the Yankees remain a factor in the Burnett discussions, major-league sources say.
The Braves are pushing hard to land Burnett, the second-most desirable starter on the market after lefty CC Sabathia, who has a preliminary agreement in place with the Yankees. The Braves made an offer of $80 million over five years, a major-league source told Gerry Fraley.
The Yankees have shown interest in every quality free-agent starting pitcher, and could opt for a three- or four-year deal with right- hander Derek Lowe or a shorter deal with Ben Sheets rather than give Burnett the five-year contract he is seeking.
Burnett, who turns 32 on Jan. 3, could benefit from a return to the National League, where he began his career with the Marlins.
Burnett is coming off an injury-free season in which he went 18-10 with a 4.07 ERA, striking out 231 in 221 1/3 innings. The 221 1/3 innings marks a career high for Burnett, who has dealt with injuries off and on throughout his 10-year career. Burnett came on strong in the second half of the season, and went at least six innings in all five of his September starts with a scant 1.82 ERA in the season’s final month.
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