Pirates Rumors: Jayson Stark on Pirates, Jon Lester; Talks “all but dead” for Burnett

Jayson Stark in his Latest Rumblings & Grumblings on ESPN list the Pirates as one of eight potential suitors for Jon Lester but has them well down the list due to Neal Huntington’s history of being unwilling to give up top tier prospects for a rental.

Stark on Pirates/Lester: “Here’s another team, in the same division, in a similar situation, except with a much deeper pool of prospects to deal from. The Pirates could afford a deal like this more easily than Milwaukee could. But their recent July trading history suggests they just aren’t inclined to overpay for rent-a-players. So would they break from that philosophy, even for a difference-maker like Lester? Seems unlikely.”

Stark lists the usual suspects Dodgers, Cardinals, Mariners, among the leading contenders.

• “Talks between the Pirates and Phillies about an A.J. Burnett reunion in Pittsburgh are all but dead, largely because the Pirates have been unable to get assurances that Burnett won’t pick up his player option for next season, which could pay him as much as $14.25 million if he makes 32 starts.”
• Stark reports the Rays are open minded about David Price saying “the Rays are telling other teams they won’t make any decisions about buying or selling until the final 24 hours before the deadline, and that they’re still “open-minded” about moving David Price and other players if the right offer comes along.”
• One executive who spoke with the Padres about pitcher Ian Kennedy, who some feel is the 4th best pitcher potentially available behind Price, Lester, Hamels, came away believing there was only a “50-50” chance Kennedy will be moved, Stark notes