Several of the premier free-agent starting pitchers have already secured deals, with southpaws Blake Snell and Max Fried inking contracts with the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees, respectively, for a combined $390 million. These agreements are sure to bring great satisfaction to Corbin Burnes, given that he is not only the unquestioned top starter available but is also expected to command an even larger sum due to his endurance, reliability, and youth (he is younger than both Snell and Fried).
As a result, two teams have emerged as the leading contenders to secure Burnes’ services. According to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com, the Toronto Blue Jays and San Francisco Giants are currently leading the race to sign the 30-year-old hurler, with both franchises gearing up to offer a substantial contract worth up to $240 million.
Both the Blue Jays and Giants have been among the more proactive spenders in recent offseasons, with both clubs actively pursuing Shohei Ohtani last season. With both teams aiming to bolster their playoff aspirations following subpar performances in 2024, investing heavily in Burnes appears to be a logical move.
If anything, the Blue Jays may have more financial flexibility given their struggles to land top targets in past seasons. The Giants, on the other hand, recently committed $182 million over seven years to Willy Adames as their new cornerstone shortstop, a significant financial commitment that could impact their ability to pursue other free agents. Nonetheless, given their serious pursuit of Ohtani last year, it would be unwise to question their financial capabilities.
Blue Jays and Giants vie for Corbin Burnes’ services
There may be some reservations regarding Corbin Burnes’ potential as a long-term ace. While his strikeout numbers have been on the decline since 2021, a silver lining is that he’s generating more ground balls and allowing less solid contact, offsetting the perceived decrease in his pitching prowess.
Burnes’ greatest strength as a top pitcher is his workhorse mentality; he has thrown 590 innings over the last three seasons, starting in 97 games since 2022. This durability will be particularly valuable for the injury-plagued Blue Jays and Giants, determining which team is willing to offer the most lucrative deal to the 30-year-old right-hander.
Image Source: Corbin Burnes @ Instagram
