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Free agent starting pitcher Corbin Burnes is hoping to secure a major bag this winter.
Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reported that Burnes is “seeking a deal worth at least $245 million, which would match the seven-year, $245 million deal Stephen Strasburg signed in December 2019 as the third-highest guaranteed contract in history for a starting pitcher.”
He added that the San Francisco Giants and Toronto Blue Jays “have been considered his two most likely landing spots.”
Burnes, 30, is a four-time All-Star and the 2021 NL Cy Young winner. He had a strong 2024 campaign for the Baltimore Orioles, finishing 15-9 with a 2.92 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 181 strikeouts in 194.1 innings (32 starts).
He lost his only postseason start for the Orioles, though that came down to Baltimore’s offense going cold against the Kansas City Royals, as Burnes gave up just five hits and a run through eight innings of work, striking out three.
As for his free-agent market, Feinsand noted that the San Francisco “has had an offer on the table, but sources have indicated that the Giants may be getting impatient, prompting them to consider other ways to improve the club via free agency.”
The Blue Jays, meanwhile, are looking to improve after a disappointing 74-88 regular season that saw them finish last in the AL East. With the New York Yankees making a flurry of moves to offset the loss of Juan Soto and the Boston Red Sox being busy as well, the Blue Jays risk remaining at the bottom of the AL East.
That, in turn, could make it difficult to convince stars like Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette to stick with the club for the long term.
Adding Burnes—while hoping the core group returns to the form that saw it reach the playoffs three times in a four-year span between 2020-23—could help the Blue Jays keep pace in the competitive AL East. It would certainly be a statement of intent, especially if Burnes ends up getting the pay day he’s reportedly seeking.
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