Report: SF Giants among most aggressive teams for Corbin Burnes
Dec 11, 2024, 7:46 AM
(Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images)
(Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images)
After losing left-hander Blake Snell in the early stages of MLB free agency, the San Francisco Giants are reportedly looking to another former Cy Young Award winner to fill the void.
With Snell heading to the rival Los Angeles Dodgers on a five-year, $182 million deal, the Giants have turned its attention to free-agent ace Corbin Burnes, who just put the finishing touches on an All-Star season with the Baltimore Orioles.
According to MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand, San Francisco is among the two most aggressive teams pursuing Burnes as new President of Baseball Operations, and former star catcher Buster Posey aims to form a more competitive roster for 2025.
While the Giants would love to sign Burnes and revamp its rotation, Feinsand reports that the Toronto Blue Jays are expected to be the highest bidder for the right-hander’s services after falling short in the Juan Soto sweepstakes.
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.
Read more below:
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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