NASHVILLE — The Angels have expressed "serious" interest in veteran reliever Sean Burnett, according to a person familiar with negotiations but not authorized to speak publicly about them, but their competition for the veteran left-hander will be stiff.
At least eight teams, including Washington, St. Louis and Milwaukee, are reportedly interested in Burnett, who went 1-2 with a 2.38 earned run average in 56 2/3 innings in 70 games for the Nationals last season.
Burnett, who has pitched four years in Washington, struck out 57, walked 12 and allowed only four home runs and was a key late-inning reliever for the National League East-winning Nationals. He complements a fastball that averaged 90.2 mph last season with a slider and change-up.
Burnett, 30, is expected to command a three-year deal for between $15 million $18 million, and he would be a natural replacement for veteran left-hander Scott Downs, who is entering the final year of a three-year, $15-million deal.
