Catchers and pitchers are starting to arrive at their respective spring training facilities, but some teams are still trying to tie up loose ends to their starting rotations. Several marquee names remain on the free agent market and could be signed in the coming week. AJ Burnett is one pitcher waiting for a deal and is finally getting some attention.
According to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports, several teams are starting to negotiate a contract with Burnett. The leading contenders appear to be the Baltimore Orioles, Philadelphia Phillies and Pittsburgh Pirates as all three are in need of one more ace for the season.
The issue could be Burnett. The veteran is reportedly being very picky about where he signs for the season since he is likely headed for retirement sooner rather than later. Rosenthal reports that Burnett prefers to stay close to his home in Maryland, making the Orioles a top destination. The two sides are working on negotiations, but nothing has been finalized.
The Orioles are showing interest in Burnett only after trying to make a run at Bronson Arroyo. The new Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher went to team facilities to take a physical after receiving a contract offer. However, early the Orioles retracted contract offers from both Grant Balfour and Tyler Colvin after they failed their physicals. Fearing the same might happen to him, Arroyo rejected a two-year, $23.5 million offer and took the same deal with Arizona.
Arroyo would have certainly been a better option that Burnett considering how durable the right-hander is. Burnett is coming off two seasons where he resurrected his pitching career after three disastrous years with the Yankees. He put up a 3.30 ERA in over 30 starts while leading the league with 9.8 strikeouts per nine innings.
If Burnett does not sign with Baltimore, the Phillies and Pirates are his best options. When Burnett was undecided about playing in 2014, he said he would either play for the Pirates or retire. Pittsburgh did not make a qualifying offer on him, but since then his confidence in the Pirates has wavered.
If the veteran wants to finish for a contending team, the Phillies might be the best landing spot for him. Philadelphia will be a fringe team in the National League this season next to the Atlanta Braves. If Burnett is willing to forgo his "close to home" policy, the New York Mets could certainly use his arm. Burnett will be forced to make a decision very soon.