The Baltimore Orioles have made a significant move in their bid to strengthen their roster for the upcoming season by acquiring former Cy Young winner Corbin Burnes in a trade with the Milwaukee Brewers. The trade, announced on Thursday, involved the Orioles giving up infielder Joey Ortiz, left-hander DL Hall, and the 34th pick in the 2024 draft.
Despite fielding trade offers for Burnes throughout the winter, the Brewers had left some teams speculating that they would hold on to the 2021 National League Cy Young winner due to the approaching spring training. However, the Orioles, who won 101 games last year and boast one of the best young cores in the major leagues, seized the opportunity to secure Burnes, aiming to address their rotation concerns.
Burnes, 29, is set to become a free agent after the 2024 season. In the previous season, he achieved a 10-8 record with a 3.39 ERA and 200 strikeouts in 193⅔ innings, contributing significantly to the Brewers’ success in clinching the NL Central title. His impressive performance in the preceding years, including leading the NL in strikeouts, further underscores his value to the Orioles.
Joining a Baltimore rotation that includes promising pitchers such as Kyle Bradish, Grayson Rodriguez, Dean Kremer, Tyler Wells, and John Means, Burnes’ addition is expected to bolster the team’s pitching depth and enhance their competitiveness in the American League.
While Milwaukee’s decision to trade Burnes may have surprised some, it aligns with their strategic approach to maximize returns rather than risk losing him in free agency. Brewers general manager Matt Arnold expressed confidence in the players acquired in exchange for Burnes and emphasized the team’s excitement about the prospects of the trade.
The trade also has financial implications for both teams, with Milwaukee shedding Burnes’ $15.6 million salary and the Orioles seeing their payroll rise to approximately $90 million following the recent agreement to sell the team to billionaire David Rubenstein.
Overall, the acquisition of Corbin Burnes represents a significant move for the Baltimore Orioles as they aim to build a competitive roster for the upcoming season, signaling their intent to contend in the American League.
