Nightly Links: Burnett, Soler, Kuroda, Noesi

• More A.J. Burnett rumors today! One issue that Yankees have with the current demands, are that the prospects they would receive are considered “marginal”. According to Joel Sherman, the Pirates see the Derek Lowe trade as a comparison to what they want from a Burnett trade.

• Though it might not seem like it, the Yanks have some bargaining power in a Burnett trade. The Angels, though on his no-trade list, have some interest in him. The Indians also have interest, though the Travis Hafner talks have died out. Rosenthal also noted that some front office people oppose trading Burnett, and insist on keeping him until the deadline, which sounds to me more like a leverage talking point.

• As Eric wrote this afternoon, Cuban outfielder Jorge Soler, is still on the market. Buster Olney tweeted that the Yankees have serious interest in him, and any reports of a “handshake agreement” appear to be false.

• Old friend Hector Noesi appears to have a legitimate shot with the Mariner’s 2012 rotation, and I will be one of his biggest fans. It’s unfortunate he never got a good look at the Yankees rotation; I think he’ll do very well in that division and ballpark.

• Yesterday, Alex Beth of Bronx Banter wrote a great piece on Hiroki Kuroda and his journey through baseball. Today, our own William Juliano took a more statistical look at what kind of pitcher he is, and how it might translate this year.

• Seedling to Stars covered the Yankees farm system today, handing a A- grade to lefty Manny Banuelos and catcher Gary Sanchez. Starting pitchers, Jose Campos and Dellin Betances, received B+’s, while Mason Williams, Tyler Austin, and Dante Bichette Jr earned B’s.

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