A.J. Burnett Trade Rumors: Latest Buzz and Speculation Surrounding Phillies Star

Updates from Tuesday, July 22

Jerry Crasnick of ESPN reports on the teams that A.J. Burnett could be traded to without consent:

Original Text

The Philadelphia Phillies signed right-hander A.J. Burnett to a one-year deal worth $16 million in guaranteed money over the spring, but the pitcher hasn’t quite lived up to expectations.

In 21 starts this season, Burnett has a 6-9 record, an ERA of 4.08 and a 1.36 WHIP, allowing 128 hits and 70 runs while striking out 113 batters. Needless to say, he hasn’t been able to replicate the success he had with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2013.

Despite some struggles this year, Burnett has still garnered the interest of contending teams looking to bolster their rotations before the July 31 trade deadline.

According to a tweet from Jon Morosi of Fox Sports, the Baltimore Orioles are one such team:

Even though the Orioles currently boast a 53-43 record and hold the top spot in the AL East, the team’s total 3.85 ERA is only good enough to rank 17th in the majors.

Baltimore appears to be strongly considering adding Burnett, as Morosi tweeted initial talks with the Phillies have already begun:

It could be speculated that Burnett would welcome the move, as Mike Axisa of CBSSports.com notes the pitcher’s wife is from Maryland and the couple live there during the offseason.

The New York Yankees find themselves with pitching issues due to a rash of injuries, and according to a report from George A. King of the New York Post, the team could consider filling the void with Burnett:

With Samardzija and Hammel off the market, trade options are slimmer. The Rays aren’t likely to deal David Price within the AL East and Cliff Lee of the Phillies has to prove he is healthy. The Phillies would move A.J. Burnett, but the Yankees don’t have a strong interest in bringing back the right-hander. With Samardzija and Hammel gone, the price on secondary starters such as Ian Kennedy likely has risen.

Jim Salisbury of CSNPhilly.com also weighed in with reports surrounding Burnett:

The Yankees and Blue Jays are both looking for starting pitching, but sources say they are cool on Burnett. Baltimore and Pittsburgh could be possibilities, but first there might have to be more movement on the starting pitching market as teams wait to see what happens with Lee and David Price.

That may be a long shot, as New York’s interest doesn’t seem to be elevated; however, it’s certainly something to keep an eye on.

Burnett recently told Todd Zolecki of MLB.com that he’s not looking to be traded anywhere this season:

I signed here to play here. I’m not a guy who looks for an out or wants to get out because things aren’t going the right way. If that happens, then it happens, but I’m not looking to move on. This is my team. I understand how things work, but I’m trying not to worry about it. I just try to go about my business and enjoy my teammates.

The pitcher may end up having some say in the matter. According to Spotrac.com, he has a limited no-trade clause in his current contract. But, Burnett’s fate may still be decided by which team ultimately pursues him.

As for the Phillies, the team currently holds a 43-54 record but isn’t offloading players just for the sake of doing so. Philadelphia hasn’t made an attempt to trade Cole Hamels, and Cliff Lee is still rehabbing from an elbow injury.

The Phillies hold a team ERA of 3.89, which is lower than several of the league’s contending teams, and the team’s future looks bright with prospects such as Jesse Biddle, Ethan Martin and Adam Morgan developing.

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Jonathan Papelbon Trade Rumors: Latest Buzz, Speculation Involving Phillies Star

Jonathan Papelbon is in the midst of his best season with the Philadelphia Phillies—and most productive since his 2006 showing with the Boston Red Sox—through 39 appearances this season.

The closer is currently boasting a 1.17 ERA, 0.83 WHIP and 23 saves while allowing just 23 hits and five earned runs in 38.1 innings pitched.     

His performance this season appears to have caught the eye of reliever-needy contenders.

According to Mark Saxon of ESPN, the 54-45 Los Angeles Dodgers were looking to acquire the pitcher’s services:

However, that rumor was superseded by another, as Saxon tweeted this one day later:

Jim Salisbury of CSNPhilly.com also reported financial details surrounding a potential trade involving Papelbon:

The Tigers, Giants and Orioles could still be in the market for a closer. Papelbon is owed the remainder of $13 million for this season, another $13 million next season and has a reachable option for another $13 million in 2016, so he is not cheap. Amaro is on record as saying he would eat some salary to move certain players. Papelbon is likely one of them. The team, sources say, was willing to eat up to half of Papelbon’s salary in the offseason. Papelbon is having an excellent season so it’s unclear whether the Phillies would still be willing to eat that much.

The Dodgers weren’t the only Los Angeles team to have some kind of interest in Papelbon. Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times, reported that the Angels were interested—albeit, on a limited basis:

Although speculation has focused on San Diego Padres closer Huston Street, the Angels also are interested in two other Padres pitchers: setup man Joaquin Benoit and starter Ian Kennedy. The Angels are less interested in Philadelphia Phillies closer Jonathan Papelbon and Texas Rangers closer Joakim Soria.

Well, that speculation appears to be ancient history as well, due to the team’s recent acquisition of Huston Street.

Nick Cafardo of The Boston Globe also weighed in on the possibility of Papelbon joining the Dodgers:

The Dodgers already have some interesting personalities in their clubhouse, so adding one more probably isn’t a big deal. Papelbon has worn out his welcome in Philly, but he’s had a very good year. So the Dodgers, in need of a late-inning reliever, could partake. 

At first glance, you’d think Philadelphia’s phones would be blowing up for calls regarding Papelbon with Street now off the market. As it turns out, that’s not the case.

Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports reported the next coveted closer is Texas Rangers right-hander Joakim Soria:

So, why are teams balking at the idea of acquiring Papelbon’s services? Well, his contract may have something to do with it.

According to Spotrac.com, Papelbon is making a base salary of $13 million this year—and also for the next two years. With pitchers like Soria making roughly $7 million, it may be difficult for teams to warrant spending that extra money.

This situation could prove to be frustrating for Papelbon, as he’s made it clear a trade to a contending team would be welcomed.

After all, the Phillies continue to struggle this season and are currently floundering in the cellar of the NL East with a 43-54 record, and the pitcher expressed his desire to possibly leave Philadelphia during an interview with Todd Zolecki of MLB.com:

Some guys want to stay on a losing team? That’s mind-boggling to me. I think that’s a no-brainer.

You know, I came here for a reason, and I say that because I’m with a group of guys in the bullpen that can do very special things in the future. I’ve been waiting for that, you know what I mean? It’s fun to be a part of that, it really is. We are there finally with our bullpen. So that aspect of it would kind of suck to leave. But at the same time, winning is the cure-all of cure-alls.

With July 31 fast approaching, Papelbon will soon learn of his fate. But for now, he’ll have to wait and see if a contending team is still scrambling to find a reliever in the final hours before the trade deadline.

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