The maelstrom of the MLB trade deadline is now over. Contenders like the New York Yankees are still looking ahead to 2024, but what kind of free-agent moves may general manager Brian Cashman make this winter? Could the current Baltimore Orioles ace, Corbin Burnes, be at the top of his list?
During a Bleacher Report live stream, Tyler Ward examined probable winter destinations for some of baseball’s greatest talents. Ward projected that the Yankees would sign Burnes to a free-agent mega-deal.
Burnes, the 2021 National League Cy Young Award winner, is dominating in his debut season with the Orioles. He is 11-4 with a 2.47 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, and 128 strikeouts in 138.2 innings. In 2024, he was chosen an All-Star and served as the American League’s starting pitcher.
The right-hander is likely to be one of the top free-agent options this winter. Zachary D. Rymer of Bleacher Report believes the hurler may sign a deal for up to $288 million over eight years.
How Corbin Burnes Would Upgrade the Yankees’ Starting Rotation
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Burnes has been one of baseball’s most reliable aces since 2020. He has a 2.79 ERA, a 1.00 WHIP, and 893 strikeouts in his last 761 innings. More crucially, he has taken the ball almost every fifth day.
Aside from the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, Burnes has started at least 28 games per year from 2021 to 2023. With 22 starts under his belt in 2024, this run is expected to continue for another season.
According to FanGraphs’ Roster Resource, the Yankees will have at least Carlos Rodon, Clarke Schmidt, Luis Gil, Marcus Stroman, and Nestor Cortes under contract in 2025. That obviously excludes Gerrit Cole. He could opt out of the remaining four years and $144 million of his $324 million contract this winter unless the Yankees commit an additional $36 million to him in 2029.
If Cole opts out and does not re-sign with New York, acquiring Burnes would provide the Bombers with a new dependable ace. But if Cole stays, the Yankees would have a deadly one-two punch at the top of their rotation.
This Probably Won’t Be New York’s Top Offseason Priority
The MLB offseason is still roughly four months away. The Yankees’ priorities might shift significantly between now and then. Making a major statement for Burnes, however, is unlikely to be at the top of Cashman’s winter to-do list.
That place is most likely designated for outfielder Juan Soto, who might contract for $500 million or more when he hits free agency this winter. Soto was also one of the players Ward mentioned on his Bleacher Report live stream. He anticipated that the New York Mets would sign the left-handed slugger, giving the Yankees additional flexibility to sign Burnes to a lucrative contract.
The Bronx appears to be the most logical landing point for Soto in the long run, but it will depend on how far the Bombers are prepared to go to close a trade. If they are unable to do so, they must immediately shift their focus elsewhere. Landing a pitcher like Burnes would not only benefit New York’s rotation, but it would also take him away from an American League East foe, the Orioles.
