It's Official: A.J Burnett to the Pirates

On Friday the New York Yankees and Pittsburgh Pirates have agree on a deal to send pitcher AJ Burnett to Pittsburgh for 2 lower level minor  prospects. Pending Burnett passes a physical.

      The Pirates will pay $ 13 million of the $ 33 million that Burnett is owed the next two seasons. In exchange the Yankess will receive OF Exicardo Cayones and RP Diego Moreno.

      Last year Burnett was 11-11 with a 5.15 ERA. After signing an $ 82.5 million contract in 2009 he was 34-35 with an ERA of 4.79. Although he had flashes of dominance he couldn't harness his pitching mechanics and become a consistent pitcher. So the Yankees will pay $ 20 million for him to pitch somewhere else. This probably will clear some money to sign lefty OF Raul Ibanez and lefty INF Eric Chavez.

      Burnett plans to be in Pirates camp and says " he's looking forward to the opportunity to reestablish himself and mentor some of the young pitchers."

      Outfielder Exicardo Cayones last season hit .228 in both the New York Penn League and the Gulf Coast League. Right handed power pitcher Diego Moreno spent most of last season in Class A Bradenton where he was 2-4 with an ERA of 3.21. In 33 2/3 innings he had 31 strikeouts. He spent some time in Double A Altoona going 0-0 with an ERA of 4.91 in seven games. Both are not expected to make the big club this spring.

      In other news, the Yankees signed left handed relief pitcher Clay Rapada to a minor league deal. Last year with the Baltimore Orioles he was 2-0 with an ERA of 6.06 in 32 appearances. The lefty for his career is 5-0 with an ERA of 5.13 in 78 appearances with the Orioles, Cubs, Tigers and Rangers. During that span lefties hit just .153 off him which includes .090 the last two seasons. I guess he'll be a inexpensive risk to back up relief pitcher Boone Logan.

AJ Burnett Career stats.

   W - L         ERA         IP               K            BB            HR          WHIP         SO

 121-111      4.10      1960.1      1791        827            203        1.332            9

Exicardo Cayones OF                                           Stats 3 Minor League Seasons                

Born: 10/9/91 Valencia, VE

Bats: Left      Throws: Left                        BA         OBP        SLG%      OPS      HR      BB      K      SB

Height 6'        Weight 183 lbs

                                                                   .272        .372         .380         .752         1         53     98      14

Diego Moreno RHP                                                 Stats 5 Minor League Seasons

Born: 7/21/86 Higuerote, VE

Bats: Right      Throws: Right                  W - L      ERA        IP          BB      SO       SV     WHIP      HR allowed

Height 6'          Weight 221 lbs.

                                                                   11-9       2.41      194.0       50      212       15      0.933        12