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The proposed trade between the New York Yankees and Pittsburgh that would make A.J. Burnett a Pirate is close but not quite done, and there are indications that the Yankees are pressuring Pittsburgh to sweeten its offer for the beleaguered 35-year-old right-hander.

According to sources on both sides of the deal who spoke to ESPNNewYork.com on the condition of anonymity, there is still optimism that a trade would be completed, perhaps as soon as this week, but there were still significant hurdles to be cleared.

"We are in stare-down mode," an official with direct knowledge of the talks told ESPNNewYork.com's Andrew Marchand.

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Related Topics: mlb, A.J. Burnett, New York Yankees, Pittsburgh Pirates