The Los Angeles Dodgers are fresh off their 2024 World Series title win over the New York Yankees, the eighth in franchise history, and while the celebration continues, the offseason is also underway.
As one of Major League Baseball’s most prominent brands, their model of consistency makes them an attractive team in several areas. For every reason, many free agent players see the Dodgers as an avenue to cash-in with a solid contract, while having a chance to play deep into the postseason.
Corbin Burnes is a name that is slated to hit the upcoming free agent market. Expecting to have a lot of suitors this offseason, the 30-year-old posted an open-ended message that could mean he’s “eyeing” the Dodgers as a landing spot.
— Corbin Burnes (@CorbinBurnes) October 31, 2024
The Dodgers dealt with starting pitching woes throughout the regular season, mainly due to injuries that decimated a staff. Ultimately, that stress pushed the arms who were at the ready to their limits, which is why their bullpen took on an added workload.
If the team decides to make a play at Burnes, they’d be getting an arm whose thrown 757 innings since the start of the 2021 season. In that span, he’s logged a 2.94 ERA, 3.08 FIP and a 1.02 WHIP.
Burnes’ 2024 season with the Baltimore Orioles was stellar, with him leading their staff with a 15-9 record and a 2.92 ERA over 194.1 innings.
The right-hander is also a native of Bakersfield, Calif., so a signing would mark a homecoming for the ace.
What would it take to land Corbin Burnes?
The Dodgers could undoubtedly use an arm like Burnes — all teams could. But the cost associated with the top arm on the free agent market means he won’t be cheap.
Signing fellow right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto to the richest contract ever given to a pitcher this past offseason, with the money given to Tyler Glasnow, goes along with their immense financial commitment in their starters. Same goes for Shohei Ohtani, who is also expected to join the rotation next year.
Projections for a Burnes contract have him at six years, $181 million according to Spotrac, but his prominent status and the need for ace-level arms could push that north of $200 million with an increase in years.
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