The Baltimore Orioles appear ready to part ways with star pitcher as he heads into free agency this offseason.
He appears to have joined the Baltimore Orioles for a short stint rather than a long-term stay—at least, that’s how it seems.
According to The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal, the Orioles are actively pursuing a “top-end starter,” with free-agent left-hander Blake Snell being a prime target. However, this interest seems to be motivated by the anticipation of Burnes’ eventual departure.
Rosenthal reports that the Boston Red Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers are engaged in talks with Burnes as well as All-Star pitcher Max Fried. Aware that they can’t compete in a high-stakes bidding war, the Orioles’ pursuit of Snell signals their acknowledgment of Burnes’ likely exit.
Orioles seem prepared to cut their losses with Corbin Burnes
With the support of their new ownership, the Orioles front office is actively exploring alternative, likely more affordable options to replace Burnes. While they would ideally like to keep the 2021 NL Cy Young winner, they were aware from the start that acquiring him as a one-year rental was a possibility. This understanding was factored into his trade value when they brought him in from the Milwaukee Brewers last offseason.
Rosenthal is uncertain whether the Orioles have met with Snell yet, but insiders suggest that the team is more focused on him than on Burnes or potentially Fried. With this in mind, Baltimore is preparing to add a new top pitcher to their rotation for the 2025 MLB season.
Burnes had a solid performance in his first and possibly only season with the Orioles, earning his fourth consecutive All-Star selection. He finished the season with a 15-9 record, a 2.92 ERA, and a 1.096 WHIP. His ERA+ (128) and FIP (3.55) were both among the top 10 in the AL.
While losing Burnes would be difficult for the Orioles, their connection to Snell has them ready for the change. Acquiring Snell would likely soften the impact of losing Burnes.
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