Blue Jays in Mix for Cy Young Winner

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Dan McPeake
December 1, 2024 (3:19 PM)

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The Toronto Blue Jays have entered the Corbin Burnes sweepstakes. A day after being linked to Max Fried, the Blue Jays are targeting another ace pitcher, this time from within their own division.

After being traded to Baltimore from the Milwaukee Brewers prior to last season, the four time All-Star and former Cy Young Award winner went 15-9 with a 2.92.

ERA. He also made his 4th appearance in the mid-summer classic and was named to the all MLB-First team for the second time is his career.  

Burnes is likely the pitcher on the market that will command the most money and reports have a multi-year deal costing the Jays anywhere between $225-247 million.

While the team's current rotation is projected to be Kevin Gausman, Jose Berrios, Chris Bassitt, Bowden Francis, and Yariel Rodriguez with Jake Bloss waiting in the wings, it is possible that Rodriguez could start the year in the bullpen - potentially even the closer's role - which would give the Jays an opening in their starting five.  

Additionally, with Bassitt entering free agency after the coming season - following a down a year in 2024 - and Gausman in 2026, it would be beneficial for the Blue Jays to have another starter signed to a multi-year deal to complement Jose Berrios.  

How serious the talks are between Burnes and the team remains unclear, but with the Blue Jays coming close to getting Shohei Ohtani last year coupled with this offseason's pursuit of outfielder Juan Soto, it's clear that the Blue Jays have the extra cash and are willing to spend it.  

ESPN's David Schoenfield believes that Burnes will jump ship and join the Blue Jays from their longtime division rivals.

While many Jays fans would love to see Soto in the blue and white uniform come opening day, having a Cy Young Award winner join the ranks is not a bad plan B.