MLB Rumors: Baltimore Orioles interested in A.J. Burnett

By Josh Hill | Dec 13, 2013

Oct 3, 2013; St. Louis, MO, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher A.J. Burnett (34) throws to a St. Louis Cardinals batter during the first inning in game one of the National League divisional series playoff baseball game at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports /

The Baltimore Orioles are looking to make some moves that will once again put them in the thick of the AL East race and into the postseason. After making a miraculous run in 2012 that ended all too early, the Orioles are eyeing some big moves to strengthen their roster from top to bottom. While they have an offer on the table for closer Grant Balfour, the team apparently also is interested in extending an offer to free agent starter A.J. Burnett.

The only problem with this is Burnett isn’t sure if he wants to to pitch in 2014, but if he does the Orioles are going to be first in line to talk to him.

#orioles still waiting to find out whether A.J. Burnett wants to pitch in 2014. If so, they want to talk to him. Met with rep at meetings
— Roch Kubatko (@masnRoch) December 13, 2013

Burnett was surprisingly solid for the surprise Pittsburgh Pirates last year and the O’s are hoping that if he pitches in 2014, he can provide the same lift to their rotation as he did to the Pirates. There’s no guarantee that he has enough left in the tank to do so, as he’s been spotty in recent years. But the Orioles are still very much interested in the starter and if he decides to play another year, it seems he already has a home.

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