In this Phillies trade rumors roundup for Tuesday, July 29th, we shed some light on the current state of trade talks surrounding starting pitchers AJ Burnett and Cliff Lee. Are they on the move? Or will they remain Phillies through the end of the year? Check out the latest speculation below.
Burnett to Pittsburgh dead in the water?
Despite reports of Pittsburgh Pirates players lobbying for the front office to reacquire AJ Burnett prior to the July 31st non-waiver trade deadline, ESPN's Jayson Stark indicates that such a deal is very unlikely to happen:
Sources say talks between the Pirates and Phillies about an A.J. Burnett reunion in Pittsburgh are all but dead, largely because the Pirates have been unable to get assurances that Burnett won't pick up his player option for next season, which could pay him as much as $14.25 million if he makes 32 starts.
Per Stark, the Phillies have been telling interested clubs that Burnett is looking into retirement at season's end. However, the prospects of dropping $14 million-plus at Burnett's behest has reportedly scared off the perceived top suitor for Burnett (Pittsburgh), and could lead to him remaining a Phillie for the time being.
Cliff Lee a no-go?
AJ Burnett isn't the only Phillies trade chip who is expected to remain with the team past Thursday's deadline. Jayson Stark is also reporting that Philadelphia hasn't "given up on moving Cliff Lee this month, despite his two shaky starts since coming off the disabled list. But "they want major prospects," said an official of one club. And they're not interested in just unloading Lee's contract to free up money."
Several scouts who have watch Lee's first two starts after coming off the disabled list have indicated that the veteran's stuff is currently not there, save for his changeup.
With questions abound over whether or not he is truly healthy, an August waiver trade might be the only way that the Phillies can offload him before season's end.
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