The Los Angeles Dodgers are in the market for pitching this winter, with a particularly close eye on acquiring at least one high-end starter.
More specifically that suggests signing at least one of Corbin Burnes, Max Fried, Blake Snell or Roki Sasaki. There is also the possibility that the Dodgers could make a trade with the Chicago White Sox for Garett Crochet, who was heavily linked to the team at the trade deadline.
Now a couple weeks into MLB free agency, the Dodgers and Baltimore Orioles have emerged as early favorites for Burnes, according to Jon Morosi of MLB Network:
“I think, Lauren, there are two teams that stand above the others. Those are the Balitmore Orioles and Los Angeles Dodgers, but I was told by a source within the last 12 hours or so, that nothing is getting finalized yet. He is still having broad interest around the Major Leagues.
Burnes was traded to the Orioles ahead of last season after spending the previous six with the Milwaukee Brewers. In 2024, Burnes had a 2.92 ERA, 181 strikeouts and 1.10 WHIP in 194.1 innings.
The right-hander was excellent in his singular postseason start for the Orioles, throwing eight innings while only allowing one run in Game 1 of the American League Wild Card Series.
With a very young and talented core, the Orioles should be an attractive destination as long as they make a competitive financial commitment to Burnes. However, the Dodgers should provide stiff competition with their focus on repeating as champions and an ownership group that is willing to aggressively spend.
Burnes is also a California native, growing up in Bakersfield and attending Centennial High School. The opportunity to live closer to home could give the Dodgers an advantage in vying for his services.
What would Corbin Burnes mean for Dodgers and Roki Sasaki?
Even though the Dodgers are targeting at least one elite starter this offseason, signing Burnes should not prevent them from continuing to pursue Sasaki due to the limit on his initial contract under the bonus pool system as an amateur international free agent.
However, there may be some potential ‘complicating factors’ that the Dodgers may have to contend with in their chase of Sasaki.
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