The Yankees and Red Sox, bitter rivals, haven't consummated a trade since August 13, 1997. Boston traded Mike Stanley and minor leaguer Randy Brown to New York for a player to be named later and Tony Armas that day. It has been nearly fifteen years since the Yankees and Red Sox were trading partners, but an inexperienced Theo Epstein once tried to engage New York in talks. Epstein admitted as much on Tuesday night while giving a talk with Brian Cashman as part of Sacred Heart's "Lecture Series" in Fairfield, Connecticut. When asked why Cashman and Epstein, now with the Cubs, never made a deal, the former Red Sox general manager said he once tried as a newcomer to the bitter rivalry. Epstein threw out the idea of sending Shea Hillenbrand to the Yankees for Nick Johnson, but Cashman wasn't interested.

A Major League Baseball general manager spoke about the several reasons why the Yankees won't be able to trade A.J. Burnett. -- Burnett is viewed as an erratic, back of the rotation type guy. -- Even if the Yankees picked up $22 million of the $33 million, there may not be any takers. -- If a team wanted to spend that type of dough, they could've signed a guy like Joe Saunders. -- Most teams have already spent their money for the year so they don't have $8 million-to-$10 million laying around.

The Cardinals are looking to deal Kyle McClellan. Rather than add a high-end prospect, St. Louis would prefer salary relief in a trade.

The Orioles are interested in re-acquiring Koji Uehara from the Rangers. Texas is looking to relieve a potential bullpen logjam and Uehara kept his home in Baltimore after he was dealt last summer.

There is a "pretty good chance" that the Rangers will trade Koji Uehara soon, according to Major League sources. Texas would like to receive prospects in return for the right-handed reliever. It was reported earlier this week that Uehara rejected a trade to the Blue Jays.

The Rangers attempted to trade Koji Uehara to the Blue Jays on Tuesday, but the reliever rejected the deal. Uehara has a limited no-trade clause, but Toronto is one of the six teams on the list. He is set to make $4 million this season and the Rangers continue to try and trade him.

Brian Cashman says his preference is to add a hitter to the Yankees lineup via trade using his surplus of pitching. Johnny Damon, Hideki Matsui and Raul Ibanez are available options on the free-agent market. "Not that any of those players aren't quality, but I do think it is probably in our interest first to see what's available in the trade market, because we have excess starters -- there should be a demand," Cashman said. A.J. Burnett could be the leading candidate for a trade, although he is owed $33 million over the remainder of his contract. Phil Hughes is a candidate as well.

A.J. Burnett has a 5.20 ERA over his last two seasons, which would be disappointing even if you don't take into account the huge contract he was given prior to the 2009 season. New York is unlikely to trade him, even if they wanted to and were willing to pick up some of the $33 million left on his deal. His average fastball velocity, which peaked as high as 95.6 mph with the Marlins in 2005, was down to 92.7 in 2011.

The Red Sox are doubtful to make a play for Hanley Ramirez following Saturday's trade of Marco Scutaro, according to multiple sources. Boston originally dealt Ramirez, then a prospect, to the Marlins in a blockbuster trade for Josh Beckett.

The Red Sox would prefer to sign a free agent pitcher, but they have kept tabs on the availability of Wandy Rodriguez via trade. Carlos Lee has been mentioned as a trade possibility for Houston lately, but Rodriguez is just as likely to be dealt.