The Corbin Burnes sweepstakes has long been looked at as the second most expensive free agency of the entire offseason, behind Juan Soto. In a lot of offseasons, Burnes would be the top player on the market.
Not this offseason, though. Still, the Burnes sweepstakes seems to be coming to an end and one MLB insider insinuates there are two teams atop the race.
Jon Heyman of the New York Post recently mentioned the San Francisco Giants and Toronto Blue Jays atop the Burnes sweepstakes. Heyman also mentioned the Boston Red Sox and New York Mets, but he added some doubt to them as well.
“One of the game’s most dynamic and durable starters surely has received big offers, but apparently none to his liking so far. The Blue Jays and Giants have been most prominently connected to Burnes, who should land above Max Fried’s $218 million Yankees deal. Some thought the Californian, who resides in Phoenix, likes the Giants, but it’s been three weeks since new Giants honcho Buster Posey met with Burnes’ agent, Scott Boras.”
The Red Sox have already added two starting pitchers this winter. As Heyman states, it’s unlikely they continue to add to the rotation, especially at the $250 million price tag Burnes will likely land. The Mets have added to the rotation already as well, so it’s a very long shot they entertain the idea of adding him too.
Between the Blue Jays and the Giants, it’s Toronto who would be favored in a bidding war, but I wouldn’t count out Posey and the Giants until Burnes signs elsewhere.