The Los Angeles Dodgers and Baltimore Orioles are reportedly leading the pursuit of free-agent ace.
According to MLB Network’s Jon Morosi, these two teams “stand above the others” in the competition for the 2021 Cy Young Award winner. However, Morosi emphasized that while the Dodgers and Orioles are front-runners, this is not strictly a two-team race. He continues to draw widespread interest across the league.
He’s, regarded as the top U.S.-based starting pitcher on the market, boasts an impressive resume. The 30-year-old is a four-time All-Star and a Cy Young Award winner with several strong seasons still ahead. After spending the first six years of his career with the Milwaukee Brewers, He was traded to the Orioles last offseason. In 2024, he delivered a standout campaign, going 15-9 with a 2.92 ERA and 181 strikeouts over 194.1 innings. Notably, he has logged at least 193 innings and 200 strikeouts in each of the past three seasons.
He claimed the Cy Young in 2021 after posting a 2.43 ERA and 234 strikeouts in just 167 innings. He followed that with a career-high 243 strikeouts in 202 innings during 2022.
Now a free agent, Burnes is expected to command a lucrative deal, potentially in the $200 million range. MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand suggests a six-year contract valued at $175-$200 million, while *The Athletic* has projected a seven-year, $247 million agreement.
While Burnes appears to be in no hurry to make a decision, his market value is bolstered by the involvement of the high-spending Dodgers, who could drive up the price to strengthen their rotation. Their 2025 rotation is projected to feature Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow, and Shohei Ohtani, though Ohtani may face a delay in pitching following shoulder surgery. Adding a workhorse like Burnes would provide long-term stability to their staff.
For the Orioles, Burnes would be a crucial addition as they look to sustain their recent success and contend for a championship.
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