MLB insider warns Orioles "losing Corbin Burnes to Mets, Giants would be a wasted opportunity" following $21.05M contract offer
Corbin Burnes' time with the Baltimore Orioles could be up. The four-time All-Star is a free agent and will be one of the best pitchers on the open market for teams looking to add a frontline starter.
Many insiders believe he will receive a large contract this winter. ESPN's Kiley McDaniel projects the hard-throwing righty to "clear $200 million" on his next contract.
Losing Burnes would be a big hit for the O's. MLB insider Jeff Passan warns of the impact that letting him walk would have on the club, via Baseball Tonight with Buster Olney.
"If they can't bring Corbin Burnes back, if he ends up with the Mets, or the Giants, or the Cubs, like who knows where [he] is going to go. But if he doesn't end back up in Baltimore, then the Orioles absolutely have to make a play," said Passan.
Passan states that if they cannot retain Burnes, the O's must go out and make big free-agency moves elsewhere. However, under their new leadership, they should have the money to entice Burnes into staying.
"If the Orioles don't do something big this winter, it is going to one of the wasted opportunities of the last decade," said Passan.
All eyes will be on the O's as they try to navigate free agency over the next few months. They have the young talent to compete, they just need some veterans to put it all together.
The Orioles likely will not be the only ones after Corbin Burnes
Corbin Burnes could have a busy next few months as he tries to find his next contract. According to multiple insiders, they have him tagged as the top free-agent pitcher on the board.
Burnes started 32 games for Baltimore this past season, compiling a 15-9 record with a 2.92 ERA. He also reduced his walk rate this past season, throwing nearly 20 fewer walks than he did with the Milwaukee Brewers in 2023.
Outside of the O's interest in Burnes, many insiders believe the New York Mets will be players here. They have the money to offer a free agent a big contract, it is just a matter of who it is.
The Mets also have strong ties to Juan Soto and will be doing all they can to sign the slugger. With the talent level on the open market, this is one free-agency period baseball fans will want to keep a close eye on.