The Baltimore Orioles have traded for former Cy Young Award winner Corbin Burnes in exchange for SS Joey Ortiz, P D.L. Hall, and a 2024 competitive balance draft pick (currently 34th overall) in a deal with the Milwaukee Brewers. Burnes has only one year left on his initial contract. If Baltimore does not re-sign him before 2025 free agency begins, Burnes will become an unrestricted free agent. The Orioles have their ace to complement breakout starter Kyle Bradish and up-and-comer Grayson Rodriguez. Baltimore is all in for 2024.
The Pieces Involved
Burnes has had a decline since his Cy Young season in 2021. From 2021 to 2023, Burnes’ strikeout percentage has decreased by a full 10%, while his BB percentage has increased by 3.4%. Furthermore, Burnes is giving up many more fly balls and home runs. His fly ball percentage has increased by nearly 4% since 2021. Plus, his HR/9 has increased by approximately 0.64 (0.38 to 1.02). However, the extensions in height and depth in left field in Orioles Park at Camden Yards should assist Burnes in 2024.
SS Joey Ortiz was called up to the Orioles in 2023, tallying 7 hits in 33 ABs (.212). However, he was highly unlucky in this short stint with an expected batting average (xBA) of .248. With Baltimore having an overload of highly-touted prospects in the infield (Jackson Holliday, Jordan Westburg, etc.), it was clear that the Orioles would trade one. Pitcher D.L. Hall has shown some versatility when it comes to being a starter or a long reliever. In 2023, Hall had a 3.26 ERA, tallying 23 strikeouts in 19.2 innings out of the bullpen. The return for Milwaukee may not have been ideal, but for a rental in Burnes, it isn’t horrible.
The Blue Jays Have to Respond
I wrote an article earlier this week called “The Blue Jays are Done this Offseason, Here’s Why” and while I believed that to be true at the time, GM Ross Atkins has to make a combat move to address this Corbin Burnes trade. The Baltimore Orioles and New York Yankees have all made high-impact moves this offseason. The Tampa Bay Rays are perennially competitive in the division. The Boston Red Sox are a young and up-and-coming squad that will look to take strides in 2024. The Toronto Blue Jays need to cement themselves in the running for the AL East by making one more impactful move this offseason.