Trib's Sawchik Pessimistic About Burnett's Return
PITTSBURGH (KDKA 93-7 The Fan) - The Major League Baseball off-season continues with the annual winter meetings, starting Dec. 9 in Orlando.
Travis Sawchik, of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, told KDKA's Bob Pompeani that the Pirates need A.J.Burnett to make a decision because pitchers who could be an alternative are starting to sign with other teams.
"I think in the next couple of weeks there's going to be a resolution," Sawchik said. "I'm kind of pessimistic about whether he'll return because the Pirates are asking Burnett to take a significant discount to remain."
Pompeani asked Sawchik what he thinks the Pirates will do with their opening in right field.
"I think they feel more comfortable staying with their internal guys," Sawchik said. "Because they could start the season with a platoon in right field of (Jose) Tabata, (Travis) Snider or Jaff Decker, who they acquired from the Padres."
Sawchik added that prospect Gregory Polanco could be an option in June.
Pompeani wondered if the Pirates would try to lock Pedro Alvarez up to a team-friendly, long-term contract. Sawchik replied that it's not likely to happen.
"If Alvarez had a different agent, maybe he'd be more open to it," Sawchik said. "He [Scott Boras] wants his clients to maximize their value, and he teaches them to maximize their value. To do that, you go through arbitration typically, and you hit the free agent market as early as you can."
