Fresh off his acquisition of solid veteran starting pitcher Javier Vazquez to bolster the Braves' rotation, GM Fran Wren said in an interview with SI.com they are in the mix for free agent pitcher A.J. Burnett but suggested that previous trade target Jake Peavy is not on their radar now.
Wren, who picked up Vazquez and reliever Boone Logan for four prospects (catcher Tyler Flowers, third baseman Jon Gilmore, pitcher Santos Rodriguez and infielder Brent Lillibridge) in a deal that will be completed after physicals are taken, declined to say whether the Braves might be willing to stretch to a fifth year for Burnett but made clear his interest in the talented righthander remains high. There was some talk in baseball circles Tuesday night that the Braves are one team that may be considering a fifth year.
Burnett's agent, Darek Braunecker, said by email that Burnett will have at least one five-year option if he wants it, though Braunecker declined to say which team or teams is offering five years. The Yankees appear reluctant to give Burnett a fifth year, the incumbent Jays have said they intend to stick with a four-year offer and the Red Sox's reported interest appears overblown. Burnett, a Maryland native, is also being pursued by the Orioles and Nationals, his two local teams.
Meanwhile, Wren agreed that their pursuit of Peavy is "pretty much'' over. The Padres had hoped to do a deal with Atlanta at one time, but their GM Kevin Towers has said in recent interviews that their current focus is on the Cubs.
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