Report: Giants ‘heavy favorites’ for Corbin Burnes
Dec 12, 2024, 9:48 AM | Updated: 9:58 am
(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
With Juan Soto, Blake Snell, Max Fried, and Willy Adames off the board, Corbin Burnes is expected to pick his new MLB team in the coming days.
The San Francisco Giants have been aggressive in beginning the Hot Stove portion of the MLB offseason, signing Adames to the largest deal in franchise history, but all indications point to new team president Buster Posey making another splash in free agency.
According to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, the Giants are “heavy favorites” for Burnes, who could sign at any time now that super-agent Scott Boras has completed the Juan Soto mega-deal with the New York Mets (15 years, $765 million).
The San Francisco Giants are the heavy favorites for Burnes while the Mets are trying to bring back Alonso. https://t.co/xUnHT7W5vY
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) December 12, 2024
MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand recently reported that San Francisco is among the two most aggressive teams pursuing Burnes, while multiple reports have indicated that Toronto could finish with the highest offer for the All-Star arm.
While the Giants may not have the highest bid in the end, they have done enough to put itself in position to add another elite arm next to fellow All-Star ace Logan Webb in San Francisco’s rotation.
More on free agent ace Corbin Burnes
Burnes, 30, won the National League Cy Young Award during the 2021 season while playing for the Milwaukee Brewers. In his lone season with the Orioles, the right-hander posted a record of 15-9 with a 2.92 ERA and 181 strikeouts over 194.1 innings.
A California native, Burnes attended St. Mary’s College in Moraga from 2013-16 before being selected by the Milwaukee Brewers in the fourth round of the 2016 MLB Draft.
The Giants currently have three starters penciled into their 2025 rotation: Logan Webb, Robbie Ray, and Kyle Harrison.
Jordan Hicks could be moved back into a bullpen role after struggling as a starter (4-7, 4.10 ERA), leaving two spots available for Posey to fill via free agency or trade–although Posey recently stated that Hicks is in line to open spring training in a starting role.
Competition will be stiff for Burnes, who is the top available starting pitcher on the market, as many project the four-time All-Star to net a deal in the neighborhood of $200 million, but after already signing shortstop Willy Adames to the largest deal in franchise history, Posey appears to be all in on upgrading this roster and ending the multi-year postseason drought.
More MLB coverage from Sactown Sports
The San Francisco Giants are in the midst of a critical offseason, and first-year president of baseball operations Buster Posey isn’t going to make any knee-jerk transactions.
After signing free agent shortstop Willy Adames to a seven-year $182 million deal–the largest guaranteed deal in Giants franchise history–Posey and his front office are canvassing the MLB’s Winter Meetings in Dallas, Texas for more roster upgrades.
While San Francisco is reportedly interested in acquiring a starting pitcher, they are also receiving interest in some players currently on their active roster.
Upcoming 2024-25 MLB Offseason Dates
- MLB free agency begins the day after the final World Series game
- Players can sign contracts with new teams five days after the final World Series game
- December 8-12th – MLB Winter Meetings in Dallas, TX
- Mid-February – Pitchers & catchers report for Spring Training
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