Juan Soto is expected to dominate the free agency headlines this offseason, but in any other year, it might have been Baltimore Orioles ace Corbin Burnes who would have taken center stage. Even so, Burnes will still be one of the most sought-after free agents this winter, though his market might not fully heat up until after Soto signs.
Soto is likely to command a higher value, meaning teams may hold off on offering Burnes a $200 million deal until they are no longer in the running for Soto.
Speaking of big contracts, Bleacher Report’s Jon Heyman recently discussed Burnes’ free agency, predicting that he will surpass the $200 million mark this offseason. Spotrac estimates Burnes could land a six-year, $180 million contract.
It would be surprising if Burnes settles for anything less than $35 million per year, and he’s a strong candidate for a front-loaded deal that includes opt-outs later in the contract.
A six-year, $210 million contract seems like a perfect fit for Corbin Burnes. A deal of that magnitude would likely price the Baltimore Orioles out of the running to re-sign him. Burnes’ value could even rise further if the New York Mets miss out on Juan Soto; in that scenario,
they would have significant funds to spend and would likely turn their attention to top-tier pitchers like Burnes. Regardless of the circumstances, Burnes is widely regarded as the best pitcher on the free-agent market, and the hefty contract he lands this offseason will be a reflection of that.
