4-time All-Star and 2021 Cy Young winner Corbin Burnes is set to hit free agency. Burnes, 30, is coming off a great season with the Orioles.
Former Cy Young Winner Set To Test Market
Acquired via trade in February, Burnes had an outstanding season for the Orioles. He started 32 games and amassed a 15-9 record. Additionally, he sported a 2.92 ERA and struck out 181 batters. Burnes was nothing short of dominant for the Orioles, he was the ace of their rotation, and the one consistent starter through a slew of injuries.
Burnes 2024 Season
During the first half of the season, Burnes was nearly unhittable. Through the All-Star break, Burnes had 19 starts and had just a 2.43 ERA during them. He had been everything and more that the Orioles needed. This pristine performance earned him a start in the All-Star game, where he pitched a scoreless inning. However, he struggled for a large part of the second half. After a shaky July, in which Burnes had a 3.09 ERA, Burnes imploded in August. In 5 starts, Burnes gave up 21 earned runs, equating to a 7.36 ERA. But, as the Orioles headed into a stretch run, Burnes rose to the occasion.
In September/October, Burnes had an astounding 1.20 ERA, his best for any month. Also, Burnes had a 0.93 WHIP and a 9.3 SO/9, which were both season-best for a month as well. Overall, Burnes was dominant down the stretch and helped will the Orioles to the playoffs. Then, in his lone postseason start, Burnes had arguably his best outing of the season. Burnes pitched 8 strong innings, giving up just 1 run and only 5 hits. Although this should have been enough for a win, the Orioles lost that game 1-0, to no fault of Burnes.
Now, Burnes heads to the free agency after being named to the All-MLB first team, looking to cash in on his outstanding play.
Will Burnes Stay In Baltimore
Despite an incredible year in Baltimore, the Orioles are unlikely to bring him back. The largest contract the Orioles have ever signed is 7 years, 161 million dollars for Chris Davis back in 2016, about 23 million per year. Burnes is projected to land upwards of 30 million dollars per year, which may be out of the Orioles’ price range. Although new owner David Rubenstein has pledged to spend more than past owners, it seems unlikely a splash as big as retaining Burnes will be made. However, the Orioles did extend a qualifying offer to Burnes and will make a push to him and solidify their rotation.
Other Landing Options
It’s not every year that an elite pitcher like Burnes enters free agency. There will be a variety of teams vying for his services. Two teams that stand out are the Yankees and the Red Sox.
The Yankees are in talks for top free agents nearly every offseason, and Burnes would fit their need for another shutdown starter.
In the case of the Red Sox, they have been looking for a top starter for a while. Rumors swirled around at the trade deadline of the Red Sox pursuing an elite starter, but they could not find the right trade. Now, in the offseason, the Red Sox looked primed to make a push for a top arm like Burnes.
Wherever Corbin Burnes lands, he will instantly make an impact. Widely regarded as a top 5 starter in the MLB, his services will certainly be battled for. Obviously, the Orioles would like to retain him, but with big-market teams such as the Yankees and Red Sox also in the mix, there’s no telling where Burnes will be playing in 2025.
Main Photo Credits: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images
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