Beyond Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Blake Snell and Jordan Montgomery being among the starting pitchers available in free agency, teams such as the Los Angeles Dodgers could also look to the trade market as Corbin Burnes, Shane Bieber and Dylan Cease are possibly available.
The Brewers are entering a new era of sorts in the wake of Craig Counsell leaving to become manager of the Chicago Cubs. Milwaukee already began some roster turnover by non-tendering Brandon Woodruff, who is still a free agent but likely won’t recover from right shoulder surgery in time to pitch during the 2024 season.
Meanwhile, the offseason has brought about speculation that the Brewers are open to a Burnes trade, along with potentially moving Willy Adames and any other player from their team as well.
According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, the Brewers started discussing a Burnes trade with interested teams:
The Milwaukee Brewers have engaged teams in recent days on right-hander Corbin Burnes, according to sources.
The Dodgers are among the teams that have been linked to Burnes, which doesn’t come as much of a surprise given their need for multiple starting pitchers. L.A. is viewed by many as the favorite to sign Yamamoto, and they could look to sign Lucas Giolito or trade for Cease.
The Dodgers also were connected to Adames, who conceivably could be part of an expanded Burnes trade with the Brewers. Though, Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes recently expressed confidence Gavin Lux will have a bounce-back season as the starting shortstop after missing all of 2023 while recovering from a torn LCL and ACL in his right knee.
Allure of Corbin Burnes trade
Burnes went 10-8 with a 3.39 ERA, 3.81 FIP and 1.07 WHIP in 32 starts this past season, leading National League pitchers in WHIP, tying for fifth in innings (193.2) and earning a third consecutive All-Star Game selection.
Among starting pitchers with at least 500 innings since 2021, Burnes ranks first in ERA (2.94), strikeouts (677), WHIP (0.99) and batting average allowed (.198). He’s also allowed the fewest earned runs (184) and hits (408), and is fourth with a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 75.8%.
Trading for Burnes would instantly bolster the Dodgers rotation with an ace. Burnes is entering a final year of arbitration and is on track to become a free agent after the 2024 season.
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