Back to back: Yankees Ready To Land All-Star Ace Projected To Sign $288 Million Deal ….
The madness that was the MLB trade deadline is now officially behind us. While teams like the New York Yankees are still concentrating on 2024, general manager Brian Cashman may be planning to make some major free agent moves this winter. Is Corbin Burnes, the ace of the Baltimore Orioles right now, at the top of his list? Tyler Ward talked about possible winter destinations for some of baseball’s greatest stars during a live broadcast on Bleacher Report. Of the six players he spoke about, Ward projected that Burnes would get a massive free-agent contract with the Yankees.
After winning the National League Cy Young Award in 2021, Burnes is having a great season in his debut year with the Orioles. With a 2.47 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, and 128 strikeouts in 138.2 innings, he has an 11-4 record. In 2024, he was selected as an All-Star and became the starting pitcher for the American League. This winter, the right-hander is anticipated to be among the best players available on the free-agent market. Zachary D. Rymer of Bleacher Report believes the pitcher might negotiate a contract worth up to $288 million spread over eight years.
How Corbin Burnes Would Improve the Opening Lineup
for the Yankees Since 2020, Burnes has emerged as one of baseball’s most reliable aces. Over his last 761 innings pitched, he has a 2.79 ERA, a 1.00 WHIP, and 893 strikeouts. What’s more, he’s taken the ball almost every other day. With the exception of the 2020 season, which was cut short due to the pandemic, Burnes started at least 28 games in 2021–2023. In 2024, he has already made 22 starts, thus this run is probably going to last for another season.
The Yankees will have contracts with Carlos Rodon, Clarke Schmidt, Luis Gil, Marcus Stroman, and Nestor Cortes through at least 2025, according to FanGraphs’ Roster Resource. Naturally, Gerrit Cole is not included in that. If the Yankees don’t give him an additional $36 million in 2029, he may choose to opt out of the last four years and $144 million of his $324 million contract this winter. The Bombers would have a new, dependable ace in Burnes if Cole chose to opt out and choose not to sign with New York again. However, the Yankees would have a strong one-two punch at the top of their rotation if Cole stayed.
Most Likely Not New York’s Top Offseason Goal Four months or so remain until MLB’s offseason begins.
The Yankees’ priorities might shift significantly in the interim. Making a big impact for Burnes, though, is probably not going to be Cashman’s main priority this winter. The outfielder Juan Soto, who is eligible to receive a contract for more than $500 million this winter, is most likely the player occupying that place. Ward talked about a number of players, including Soto, on his Bleacher Report live stream. He thought the left-handed slugger would sign with the New York Mets, giving the Yankees more wiggle room to potentially sign Burnes to a big contract.