FOXSports.com - MLB- Inside Dish: Burnett blockbuster in the works?

FOXSports.com - MLB- Inside Dish: Burnett blockbuster in the works?

This is, no doubt, the biggest trade rumor to date. Burnett would be a max FAAB pitcher in the AL, and whomever the Marlins get would also be serious FAAB players.

Rosenthal reports Baltimore is one club but who is the other? If the report has weight, then a look at AL teams with a young SP, quality reliever and a left-handed hitting OF is the first place to look.

This criteria precludes many teams. The Yankees can use Wang as the SP, but who fills the other two spots? There are no relievers, other than Tom Gordon, who fit the "quality reliever" criterium and, as for " left-handed hitting OF", there is none. If there were, he'd be playing already. (However, the Yanks could use Juan Encarnacion who would be an upgrade in the OF even in CF.)

If the Red Sox wanted to deal Trot Nixon and Bronson Arroyo, that would do it, but do the Sawx feel confident Burnet can succeed in the AL much less sign him to a new contract? With Brandon Moss doing well in AA at 20 years-old, the Sawx have OF in the system, but Trot is considered a quality teammate so I don't know if the Nomar magic would be repeated.

Toronto could do it. Batista or Lily would qualify. Dave Bush or Brandon league would too. Gabe Gross bats from the left side as does Frank Catalonotto. Too bad Florida didn't need a 2B as Orlando Hudson would have made this the team.

Tampa Bay? Puh-leaze. Lamar would want Florida to add Jeremy Hermida and Josh Willingham.

Minnesota could match but do not need a SP and would certainly not resign Burnett to the Pavano-esque deal necessary to keep him.

The White Sox have the relievers with the emergence of Cliff Politte. Takatsu or Marte would work for the Marlins, but fitting the criteria exactly for SP and OF could be tough if Florida stuck to major leaguers. If the criteria expanded to AAA and AA prospects, the the White Sox are the team.

The Royals are out.

The Indians, though, could do it as they have a few relievers (betancourt, Riske, Howry, Rhodes) and a left-handed hitting OF (Gerut ). Meeting the SP is tough unless the Marlins wanted Elarton . Jake Westbrook maybe, but then the deal becomes one so loaded with talent that it would approach stupidity for the Burnett-acquiree.

Detroit can meet all three with a reliever such as German, Rodney or Percival, a SP like Jason Johnson or Mike Maroth and a LOF like Nook Logan. With Magglio returning, the OF will get very crowded, and Nook could step-in for Pierre next season.

Seattle is out and so is Oakland.

Texas could do it with Laynce Nix filling the LOF criterium, Ricardo Rodriguez as the SP but the "quality reliever" would be tough.

Anaheim could meet the reliever requirement with Donnelly and could do the OF with Davanon. Chone Figgins could also meet that objective and fill-in Pierre's spot next year. Washburn would fit the SP. That would appear to be a lot though.

After examining all the possible spots, Detroit makes the most sense and can meet the criteria.

But could it really be Detroit?!?!??!?!