The Baltimore Orioles have fairly the issue on their palms this winter. Two of their extra priceless gamers from the 2024 season, Corbin Burnes and Anthony Santander, are each unrestricted free brokers. The rising hypothesis is each of those gamers will discover higher contracts with one other crew, which would depart the Orioles in shambles.
ESPN’s David Schoenfield would not anticipate Burnes to signal again with the Orioles. As an alternative, Schoenfield predicts Burnes will sign a massive seven-year, $225 million deal with the Toronto Blue Jays, staying within the American League East, however in a distinct uniform. This may very well be the worst-case situation for Baltimore.
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“So, they should have a backup plan this time to be all-in for 2025. Meaning going after Burnes, the No. 2 participant on our free agent board. Chris Bassitt is a free agent after 2025 and Kevin Gausman is simply too after 2026, so that they’ll want a long-term reinforcement for the rotation,” Schoenfield wrote. “Signal Burnes, get a bounce-back season from (Bo) Bichette, strengthen the bullpen and the Jays might soar again into playoff competition. And they need to signal (Vladimir) Guerrero whereas they’re at it.”
There’s virtually no probability that Baltimore will discover the cash to match the Blue Jays if Toronto aggressively pursues Burnes. Schoenfield has the Mets signing Juan Soto which might take them out of the Burnes sweepstakes.
Toronto would virtually be bidding in opposition to the Orioles, Boston Crimson Sox, and the San Francisco Giants. On this bidding struggle, Toronto must be closely favored.
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