Dodgers Nearing Deal to Acquire $217 Million Four-Time All-Star
The Los Angeles Dodgers‘ $1 billion offseason spending spree played a crucial role in their World Series win this October, and now, the team is eyeing another big move in free agency: landing Baltimore Orioles ace Corbin Burnes. Despite having a deep rotation, the Dodgers’ pitching staff has some question marks.
Key players like Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Shohei Ohtani are coming with uncertainties, as Ohtani has not pitched since undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2023. Tyler Glasnow, Tony Gonsolin, and Dustin May all ended 2024 on the injured list, while Bobby Miller posted an unsightly 8.52 ERA in limited innings.
Acquiring Burnes would give the Dodgers a reliable ace who has proven he can start every fifth day. The four-time All-Star has made at least 28 starts each season since 2021, including 30-plus starts from 2022-24. In his final year before free agency, Burnes posted a strong 15-9 record with a 2.92 ERA and 181 strikeouts in 194 1/3 innings.
Burnes is expected to secure a huge contract as the top starting pitcher on the market, with some projections suggesting a seven-year, $217 million deal. MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand believes the Dodgers could have an advantage in the race, especially given Burnes’ Bakersfield roots, just 110 miles north of Dodger Stadium.
After their high-profile spending last winter, the Dodgers are a force to be reckoned with in the free-agent market, and it would be foolish to count them out in the Burnes sweepstakes. While other teams will certainly compete for his services, the combination of Los Angeles’ financial clout and local ties could make them the frontrunner for the ace.
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