Rosenthal via source: Burnett did, indeed, prefer the NL...

[Can_of_corn]

And that's exactly why we shouldn't be in the market for a FA closer.

Then again, there's really nothing left in the FA pool that would help with our holes in LF and at DH so...

Nothing that they could realistically acquire at least.

[DrinkinWithFermi]

Nothing that they could realistically acquire at least.

Of course. I figured that went without saying.

[olehippi]

As much as I'd like to see Burnett in an Orioles uniform, I'd be leery of signing a guy who seems to have lost the desire to play baseball. Even if we do offer him enough money to change his mind, if he's pitching without a competitive heart and the season isn't going well, he might just say to hell with it and walk away in the middle of the season. After his last contract - $82.5M - I seriously doubt that worrying about money is even an issue. It's likely all about desire.

[sportsfan8703]

I can think of countless guys in sports that have "considered" retired or even retired and went on to have a great year. Burnett is a unique case because the dude has already made 120 million. I don't think we'll sign him. But if he's any type of competitor he might want one more crack at a ring and the AL East.

[Rene88]

per mlbtraderumors-a Pirates person is saying he is coming back to the Pirates or retiring:

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/

[mdbdotcom]

per mlbtraderumors-a Pirates person is saying he is coming back to the Pirates or retiring:

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/

Perhaps you could link directly to the story.

[UpstateNYfan]

I can think of countless guys in sports that have "considered" retired or even retired and went on to have a great year. Burnett is a unique case because the dude has already made 120 million. I don't think we'll sign him. But if he's any type of competitor he might want one more crack at a ring and the AL East.

Countless? Great? And keep it in baseball and make sure it wasn't a negotiation ploy. Countless are the number of players that grab one last paycheck, knowing (and sometimes not admitting) the game has past them buy, but want one last payday or avoid entering the real world (as millionaires, so maybe not so real).

Could Burnett be pulling the Andy Pettit (or Clemens) move? Stay in shape, put himself out to a contender half way through the season? The old "I want be with my family or closer trick." May be in their heart, but many of the guys find out the routine of life is pretty boring compared to the team and clubhouse atmosphere. They have to decompress gradually into a new world they are about to enter.

I am more cautious than most on bringing "old" players to a new team. Guys like Roberts and soon Markakis, not as much, as long as they can change their roles gracefully.

[mdbdotcom]

To clarify, one MLBTR story says this:

Even after a report that the Orioles had interest in A.J. Burnett and had been in touch with his agent, the Pirates feel Burnett doesn't want to play for any other team. "There’s no reason for [burnett] not to be back," says a Pirates official.

While another says this:

Huntington addressed previous comments in which he reportedly said if A.J. Burnett "or others want a market-value deal, they'll sign elsewhere." He did not deny the quote, but said it did not capture what he meant to convey. "What I certainly intended was that top-tier free agents, if they're looking for top-tier dollars, they're going to play somewhere else," said Huntington. "And that's not just Pittsburgh. That's probably half to maybe two-thirds of the markets in baseball." Huntington pointed to last year's signing of Russell Martin as an instance of the franchise topping the market for a player it valued highly; "so, it's not that we won't pay market value when it's appropriate."

Huntington added for the "right player, right contract, we'll absolutely go three years. We can go to four years if we need to. But it's got to be the right player for the right contract. It's just the margin for error is a little easier with some of the bigger-market clubs."

Burnett is still an option for the Pirates. "We're working to be as patient as we can with A.J.," Huntington said. "A.J. would be our biggest free-agent acquisition if he chooses to come back, so we've tried to keep that door open as long as we can."

[mdbdotcom]

Agreed. Someone should teach that guy some manners though. Being a jerk off constantly on here gets old.

The lack of moderation as of late is appalling. I will admit that was a low blow and apologize.

Then perhaps you should stop. Maybe you don't realize how insulting you are. As of now, I won't respond to your posts anymore. I'm not on here for this.

[Rene88]

Then perhaps you should stop. Maybe you don't realize how insulting you are. As of now, I won't respond to your posts anymore. I'm not on here for this.

Sure. Take the high ground after starting a fight. That is what you do.

[TonySoprano]

I am not your mommy, click on the link smart azz.

The link goes to the site, but not to a particular story, dumbazz. The only story with a "Pirates person" does not say what you purport it to say. Did you not understand it or not read it? Was there an actual story, or did some hooker in a bar give you that hot tip?

Comment like that about my sisters would get ya banged in your mouth. TOTALLY UNCALLED FOR!!

Agreed. Someone should teach that guy some manners though. Being a jerk off constantly on here gets old.

The lack of moderation as of late is appalling. I will admit that was a low blow and apologize.

ENOUGH!! There is no high ground in the back and forth from either of you. Take it offline and if you're incapable of that we'll find room on the bench for you.

[Rene88]

Agreed, thanks Tony.

[TonySoprano]

Even after a report that the Orioles had interest in A.J. Burnett and had been in touch with his agent, the Pirates feel Burnett doesn't want to play for any other team. "There’s no reason for [burnett] not to be back," says a Pirates official.

source - mlbtraderumors and

A.J. Burnett, RHP, free agent — Pirates officials seem to think Burnett will come back for one more year, but they have entertained thoughts of signing other veteran pitchers. “There’s no reason for [burnett] not to be back,” said one Pirates official. “He can still pitch at a high level and we think he only wants to play for us. Seems like a no-brainer.”

Boston Globe

[luismatos4prez]

source - mlbtraderumors

If the rumors are true, and Dan stopped pursuing some other FA to go after Burnett, then he clearly disagrees.

Just looking at this from Burnett's perspective, living at home in the summer and playing ball 30 minutes away from your house has got to be appealing. Good team with good infield defense to field your ground balls and a well-respected manager. I can't imagine why he wouldn't want to come here.

[weams]

If the rumors are true, and Dan stopped pursuing some other FA to go after Burnett, then he clearly disagrees.

Jim Duquette and Jen are in each other's phones. I doubt that Dan stop pursuing anything no matter what rumor his cousin may have passed on.