Orioles’ Corbin Burnes Trade Has MLB Fans Hyped for Baltimore’s Future
The Baltimore Orioles, who are now the AL East champions, improved their chances on Thursday when it was revealed by ESPN’s Jeff Passan that they had acquired starting pitcher Corbin Burnes from the Milwaukee Brewers.
To acquire the 2021 NL Cy Young Award winner, Baltimore had to give up pitching prospect D.L. Hall, infield prospect Joey Ortiz, and the 34th selection in the 2024 MLB draft. A squad that finished 101-61 in 2023 but had some gaps in its starting lineup will greatly benefit from the acquisition.
Burnes will take over right away and establish himself as one of the Orioles’ top two starters. The 29-year-old helped the Brewers win the NL Central by pitching 10-8 with a 3.39 ERA and 200 strikeouts in 193.2 innings. He had the most strikeouts in the National League in 2022—243 in 202 innings pitched. He had the best ERA in the majors (2.43) and recorded 234 strikeouts in 167 innings pitched during his Cy Young campaign.
Burnes will certainly improve Baltimore’s chances of contending for a World Series championship this year, even though he may just be a short-term rental because he will become a free agent following the 2024 season.
The Orioles’ Thursday night maneuvering for Burnes excited fans on social media:
SCREW IT WE NEED ALL THE GREAT VIBES THAT WE CAN GET SO LETS DO IT.
THE ORIOLES ARE NOT PLAYING AROUND. THEY GOT THEIR GUY. CORBIN BURNES IS AN ORIOLE. MIKE ELIAS FLEECE JOB. WHENS FIRST PITCH??
PLAY. THE. DAMN. SONG. pic.twitter.com/BcvmFthwBe
— Zach Bollinger (@zachbollinger18) February 2, 2024
Holy hell the A.L. East just got ALOT more interesting…. The @Orioles pull the trigger and acquire RHP Corbin Burnes from the @Brewers …. YEP the O’s ain’t foolin around no more !! pic.twitter.com/lIlyi2vZ2M
— Dan Plesac (@Plesac19) February 2, 2024
Adley Rutschman, Gunnar Henderson, Jackson Holliday, Corbin Burnes, Heston Kjerstad & Grayson Rodriguez all in 23/24 pic.twitter.com/Dx7EZlt9HS
— Lamar & Order: RPO (@moneymarlo44) February 2, 2024
This week the Orioles have been sold to a bunch of billionaires and traded for Corbin Burnes pic.twitter.com/lkvk9pcwTk
— Justin Fenton (@justin_fenton) February 2, 2024
Burnes will create a strong 1-2 punch for the Orioles along with starter Kyle Bradish, who had a team-best 2.83 ERA last season. Baltimore’s rotation will be rounded out by Grayson Rodriguez, Dean Kremer, Tyler Wells and John Means.
Fans will surely enjoy watching Burnes on the mound as he tries to help lead the Orioles to a World Series title.
