Trade talks heat up
The Marlins have reportedly talked with six teams about a possible A.J. Burnett trade.
BY KEVIN BAXTER
DETROIT - The Marlins have stepped up efforts to shop right-hander A.J. Burnett and are reportedly in trade discussions with at least six teams about deals that would net Florida a top reliever in return.
The Chicago White Sox are believed to be the team most aggressively pursuing the pitcher, who will become a free agent after the season. But the Baltimore Orioles have also renewed attempts to woo the Marlins, offering a package centered on reliever Jorge Julio, while the Toronto Blue Jays entered the sweepstakes this week.
The San Diego Padres, Los Angeles Dodgers and Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim have also been mentioned as possible trade partners.
''We're sensing that, based on the interest conveyed through the media, that there are a lot of suitors,'' said Darek Braunecker, the player's agent.
Baltimore, which has been talking with Florida for some time about Burnett, has taken 24-year-old right-hander Daniel Cabrera (7-7, 4.90) off the table, instead offering 20-year-old Hayden Penn, a minor-leaguer who went 2-2 with a 6.75 ERA in seven big-league starts earlier this season. But they are willing to part with Julio (2-2, 4.24, a former closer whom the Marlins reportedly covet, as well as a left-handed-hitting outfielder, probably Larry Bigbie (.262, 4 HR, 17 RBI).
The Blue Jays might be the most intriguing option because Burnett (5-5, 3.33) has made no secret of his desire to be reunited with former Marlins pitching coach Brad Arnsberg, now with Toronto. The Blue Jays are willing to deal closer Miguel Batista, a former Marlin, but he's owed more than $6 million on a contract that runs through 2006. Burnett will make about $1.8 million the rest of this season.
The Marlins are also exploring several trade options that don't involve Burnett in an effort to shore up their leaky bullpen. They are known to be among four teams -- the others being Texas, Atlanta and the Chicago Cubs -- talking with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays about All-Star closer Danys Baez, who could be expendable now that Tampa has signed former Cubs closer Joe Borowski. They have also expressed interest in Kansas City left-hander Jeremy Affeldt, who made two trips to the disabled list this season with a strained groin, and might pursue the Colorado Rockies' Jay Witasick, a nine-year veteran who was released last fall by the San Diego Padres.