The Orioles acquired Burnes to serve as a staff ace in 2024, and the free agent delivered for the Birds.
The buzz was palpable. Orioles fans, still rejoicing over an announced sale to Carlyle Group co-founder David Rubenstein, were sent into a frenzy when the team traded for Corbin Burnes on February 1. Baltimore, already stocked with some of the best young talent in the game, was officially going for it in 2024.
The Orioles managed to acquire the former Cy Young Award winner without surrendering any of their “untouchable” prospects. The Birds sent DL Hall, Joey Ortiz, and a competitive balance pick in the 2024 draft to Milwaukee in exchange for the three-time All Star. The Birds appeared to possess one of the best rotations in the game featuring the free-agent-to-be, Kyle Bradish, Grayson Rodriguez and John Means.
Looking back, that day may have featured the best vibes of the year in Birdland. Two weeks later, the Orioles announced that both Bradish and Means would begin the season on the injured list. Baltimore suffered blow after blow in 2024 with Bradish, Means, Rodriguez, and Tyler Wells all eventually suffering season-ending injuries.
After an impressive start, the Orioles flopped in the second half. Baltimore failed to secure another AL East crown and did not win a playoff game for the second consecutive season. The injuries took a toll, and the bats went silent when it mattered most.
The Orioles could have used DL Hall in the bullpen, and their infield depth was tested over the course of the season. So, with Burnes set to test the waters in free agency, should the O’s regret bringing in the rental?
No chance.
Burnes met the incredibly high expectations that followed him to Baltimore. The 30-year-old posted a 15-9 record with a 2.92 ERA. He delivered 194.1 innings and 32 starts to a team devastated by arm issues, and he clearly emerged as a leader in the clubhouse. Burnes started the All-Star game with fellow Oriole Adley Rutschman, and he went on to deliver when the lights were the brightest.
Burnes posted eight innings of one-run ball in Game 1 of the AL Wild Card Series. The outing should have been enough to carry Baltimore to an early advantage in the postseason, but the offense had other plans. The Orioles fell 1-0 to Cole Ragans and the Royals at Camden Yards, and Burnes looked visibly bereft after what could have easily been his final start in an Orioles’ uniform.
Burnes did his part, but he couldn’t save a team that sputtered to the finish line. The Orioles looked overmatched at the plate for a majority of the second half, and the team failed to fix things in the postseason.
Burnes played the part of an ace from the very first game of the season. He allowed three runs or fewer in his first 15 starts before finally allowing four to the Astros on June 22. He resumed his weekly dominance before suffering a rough four-game stretch in the month of August.
The righty didn’t look right in consecutive outings against Boston and Houston, but he righted the ship in a big way over the final month of the season. Burnes limited opponents to five earned runs total over his final six starts of the regular season.
One look at Burnes’ Baseball Savant page backs up another impressive season. He ranked in the 98th percentile of Pitching Run Value (27), the 95th percentile of Hard-Hit Percentage (31.6), the 91st percentile in Fastball Velocity (97.0), and the 89th percentile in Chase Percentage (33.0). He posted a 128 ERA+ and just missed out on being named an AL Cy Young finalist.
Burnes always indicated that he planned to test free agency at the end of the season. Now, the Orioles must decide if they are willing to make a franchise-altering commitment to the top pitcher on the market.
MLB Trade Rumors currently ranks Burnes as the second best free agent after Juan Soto. MLBTR projects Burnes to receive a seven year, $200 million deal from either the Mets or the Red Sox.
Burnes turned in one of the best seasons of the 21st century for the Orioles, but there are a few factors to keep in mind. His strikeouts dropped for the second consecutive season, and it’s difficult to project how he’ll perform six seasons from now. Baltimore may have a new owner with deep pockets, but the club has several young players in need of lofty extensions.
It takes two to tango, and it’s unclear whether Burnes has significant interest in returning to Baltimore. Regardless, Burnes lived up to expectations in 2024.
Previous 2024 player reviews: Keegan Akin, Cionel Pérez, Cole Irvin, Ryan O’Hearn, Craig Kimbrel, Cade Povich, midseason position player acquisitions, Jackson Holliday, injured starting pitchers, James McCann, midseason pitching acquisitions, Jorge Mateo, Yennier Cano, Dean Kremer, Albert Suárez, Ryan Mountcastle, Anthony Santander, Jacob Webb, Grayson Rodriguez, Ramón Urías, Danny Coulombe, Adley Rutschman, Zach Eflin, Cedric Mullins, Colton Cowser
Tomorrow: Gunnar Henderson