Burnett might be first to sign

It's looking as if pitcher A.J. Burnett will be the first big-name pitcher to sign, perhaps by the time the meetings are over.

The Yankees and Atlanta Braves reportedly are the two major players for Burnett. The Braves have reportedly put in a four-year, $60 million deal with a vesting option while the Yankees have offered four years, $64 million.

* Also, the Pirates and Arizona appear to be the two teams in the mix for free-agnet infielder Mark Loretta.

* One player who might not get the kind of money expected for a big-time power hitter is outfielder Adam Dunn. Players like Raul Ibanez are getting more talk at the meetings than Dunn, the modern-day Dave Kingman.