Despite indications from several media outlets that the Orioles' pursuit of Florida pitcher A.J. Burnett is a done deal, one source familiar with the negotiations said yesterday that the team won't obtain Burnett unless the Marlins remove struggling third baseman Mike Lowell from the pending trade. Instead, the Orioles are now closing in on a three-way trade with the Pirates and Marlins that could yield them Burnett and Pittsburgh outfielder-first baseman Daryle Ward. In exchange, the Orioles would offer a package that likely would include the same names as before: outfielder Larry Bigbie, reliever Jorge Julio and pitching prospect Hayden Penn. Two of those, and perhaps all three, would be sent to Florida, which would also get pitcher Mark Redman. The Pirates would get Lowell, cash and prospects. It's unclear who will pay the bulk of Lowell's salary. The three-way negotiations with the Pirates and Marlins are still in the discussion stage, the source said. It could be done today or take a week. The Pirates entered the talks, a source said, when the Orioles attempted to make the Marlins take starter Sidney Ponson and the $10 million remaining on his contract after this season. As much as the Orioles would like to add Burnett, 28, to the top of their rotation, the club is hesitant to pick up Lowell's $18 million contract over the next two years, several sources said on condition of anonymity. If the Marlins agreed to absorb a "substantial amount" of Lowell's contract, then the Orioles might reconsider the original deal if the talks with Pittsburgh don't progress, one source said. The Orioles also would not be opposed to making a trade just for Burnett, even if they cannot sign the pending free agent to an extension during a 72-hour negotiation period.