Yankees among front-runners for Corbin Burnes as offseason dominoes fall

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The Yankees are among five teams labeled as “main players” for former Cy Young winner Corbin Burnes, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post. Burnes, who spent 2024 with the Orioles after a midseason trade from the Brewers, is expected to be the most sought-after starter on the free-agent market once Juan Soto’s decision is finalized. Both players are represented by Scott Boras, adding another layer of intrigue to their offseason narratives.

Yankees among top suitors for Corbin Burnes amid offseason questions

Burnes has established himself as one of the league’s most reliable workhorses. In 2024, the 30-year-old right-hander posted a 2.92 ERA across 32 starts, marking his third straight season of hitting the 30-start threshold. Over the past three seasons, Burnes has thrown 590 innings, ranking third among starters in that span, while maintaining a 3.08 ERA with 624 strikeouts.

The cutter remains Burnes’ signature weapon, but he has developed a deeper arsenal. Over the final month of 2024, the Orioles helped him restore some movement on his cutter, which had waned earlier in the season. Burnes also introduced a sweeping slider, generating more swing-and-miss opportunities. Although his strikeout numbers have dipped since his Cy Young season in 2021—dropping from a 35.6% strikeout rate to 23.1% in 2024—his overall profile as a durable, high-ceiling starter keeps him at the top of the market.

Yankees’ offseason priorities

The Yankees’ offseason hinges on two elite talents: Burnes and Soto. While they remain heavily invested in the Soto sweepstakes, adding both players has not been ruled out. However, Heyman notes that securing Burnes may become the more realistic option if Soto signs elsewhere.

The Juan Soto bidding process has been described as a blind race, with teams unaware of one another’s offers. It’s unclear how Boras will handle negotiations—whether the Yankees will get a chance to match the highest bid or if the star outfielder will simply go to the top bidder. What is clear, though, is the Yankees’ commitment to pursuing Soto aggressively while keeping Burnes as a potential pivot.

If Juan Soto lands elsewhere, Burnes would immediately become the Yankees’ top target. A rotation fronted by Gerrit Cole and Burnes would give the Yankees one of the most formidable 1-2 punches in baseball. Burnes’ ability to consistently take the ball every fifth day would help stabilize a rotation that has dealt with injuries in recent years.

The Yankees know they need to make a statement this offseason. Whether it’s Soto, Burnes, or both, their focus is on adding the type of talent that can push them back into World Series contention.

The clock is ticking, and the stakes are high. For now, all eyes are on Soto, but Burnes looms as a game-changing contingency plan.

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