Phillies, Orioles Discussing AJ Burnett

According to Jon Morosi of Fox Sports, the Phillies and Baltimore Orioles have engaged in "preliminary talks" regarding starting pitcher AJ Burnett. Nothing serious has developed yet and Burnett does have a limited no-trade clause, not including the Orioles, likely because his family resides in Maryland. 

Phillies and Orioles have had very preliminary talks on a trade that would send A.J. Burnett to Baltimore, sources tell @FOXSports1.

— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) July 19, 2014

No substantial progress made yet in the Orioles-Phillies talks on Burnett, but there has been initial dialogue, sources say.

— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) July 19, 2014

Burnett has said in an interview with Todd Zolecki he would like to remain in Philadelphia because the Phillies are his team and that he is not looking to go somewhere else just because times are tough.

"I signed here to play here," Burnett told a reporter after Sunday's 10-3 loss to the Nationals. "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."

Burnett is making $7.5 million this year with a $7.5 millions signing bonus, but he has a complex player/mutual option that guarantees him at least $7.5 million in 2015 if he wants to pitch. Another one of Ruben Amaro's stellar contractual promises. 

AJ is 6-9 with a 4.08 ERA this season and was roughed up in his most recent start yersterday in Atlanta, getting knocked around for six runs on ten hits in the Phils loss in Atlanta. 

Baltimore would be quite an intriguing trade partner with the Phillies, as they are chock full of young pitchers and position players that could help the Phils this year or next. Look for names such as Kevin Gausman, Jonthan Schoop and perhaps even Dylan Bundy to pop-up in trade talks if things get to a serious stage in negotiations.

Brandon Apter, Publishing Editor for Philliedelphia.com