Report: Giants still in on Corbin Burnes, but the price has changed
Dec 17, 2024, 8:05 AM
(Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
(Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
While the San Francisco Giants have been widely reported to be one of the favorites for star pitcher Corbin Burnes, a bloated price tag could be holding up the completion of a deal.
The Giants have been aggressive in beginning the Hot Stove portion of the MLB offseason, signing shortstop Willy Adames to the largest deal in franchise history, but all indications point to new team president Buster Posey wanting to make another splash in free agency.
Burnes, the best available starting pitcher remaining on the free agent market, has been linked to San Francisco by several insiders, with most calling the Giants a favorite to land the right-hander.
MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand recently reported that San Francisco is among the two most aggressive teams pursuing Burnes, with the other team being the Toronto Blue Jays.
A deal for Burnes appeared to be close following last week’s Winter Meetings, but shortly following the news that left-hander Max Fried inked an eight-year, $218 million deal with the New York Yankees (a record-breaking contract for left-handed pitchers), the seemingly moving market came to a screeching halt.
Burnes, a client of super-agent Scott Boras, is now expected to receive a new contract that exceeds the $218 million mark set by Fried.
Burnes favorite? Pair of 3B with fates intertwined? Your questions, answered https://t.co/CkfIhryWLR
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) December 17, 2024
According to a new report that Feinsand published on Tuesday, Burnes is projected to sign a new deal that could end up being worth more than $245 million:
The Giants made a big splash last week with the signing of Willy Adames, but San Francisco is still looking to replace Blake Snell, who signed with the division-rival Dodgers. Burnes – a Southern California native who played his college ball in the Bay Area – would be an ideal fit, though after Max Fried landed a $218 million deal from the Yankees, Burnes is now expected to exceed that guaranteed total, with some projecting a deal worth more than $245 million.
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 $230 million. Still, 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
After signing the biggest contract in San Francisco Giants history, shortstop Willy Adames held his introductory press conference Thursday afternoon in the Bay Area.
The first question from reporters was about the new President of Baseball Operations, Buster Posey, and the impact he had on Adames’s offseason decision.
“I think that was the biggest reason that I’m here,” Adames said. “What he accomplished here as a player was such a dream, and I was growing up when I was watching that, but it was such a great run. Those championships were amazing.”
Read more below:
Willy Adames says Buster Posey is “the biggest reason” he signed with Giants
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 8-11th – MLB Winter Meetings in Dallas, TX
- February TBD – Pitchers & catchers report for Spring Training
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