Yankees' Burnett among players on trading block

New York Yankees pitcher A.J. Burnett is one of about a half-dozen players who could get traded before Opening Day.

According to several reports, the Yankees have been talking to the Pirates about a deal that would send Burnett (pictured below) to Pittsburgh for outfielder Garrett Jones.

The issue seems to be Burnett's $33 million salary, which goes through the 2013 season. CBSSports.com's Jon Heyman reports that the Yankees are willing to pay a large portion of that contract, but they haven't reached an agreeable figure with the Pirates.

New York is looking to clear some payroll in the hopes of signing a free agent or two. Third baseman Eric Chavez, outfielder Raul Ibanez and DH Johnny Damon seem to be on their want list.

Burnett has struggled the past two seasons in New York with ERAs above 5. Last season, he went 11-11 with a 5.15 ERA and 1.43 WHIP. A move to the National League could be a welcome change for the 35-year-old right-hander.

Here's some other players who may be on the trading block, according to ESPN's Jayson Stark:

* Philadelphia pitcher Joe Blanton: He will make $8.5 million this season, so the Phillies are looking to dump his salary.

* Washington pitcher John Lannan: The Nationals have bolstered their rotation with the additions of Gio Gonzalez and Edwin Jackson, so they don't really need Lannan's $5 million salary. And, oh, by the way, they've got a guy named Strasburg who's ready to come back too.

* Los Angeles Angels outfielder Bobby Abreu: He will make $9 million this season and he turns 38 next month. With Kendrys Morales returning to good health and the addition of Albert Pujols, Abreu has become expendable.

* Tampa Bay pitcher Jeff Niemann: He's about to turn 29 and is in the back of the Rays' rotation behind David Price, James Shields, Jeremy Hellickson and Matt Moore.

In other news:

* The Baltimore Orioles have agreed to a contract with free-agent reliever Luis Ayala, according to MASNsports.com. Ayala had a 2.09 ERA in 52 appearances for the Yankees last season. To make room for Ayala, the Orioles designated outfielder Matt Angle for assignment. Angle spent most of last season with the Norfolk Tides.

* The Cleveland Indians have avoided arbitration with All-Star shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera, agreeing with him on a $4.55 million, one-year contract, according to the Associated Press. Cabrera hit .273 with 25 homers and 92 RBIs last season. It was by far the best power numbers in his five-year career.

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