As the Boston Red Sox look to improve their pitching staff in the offseason, one name that has emerged as a potential target is Corbin Burnes, the ace of the Milwaukee Brewers. Burnes, a former Cy Young Award winner, has established himself as one of the most dominant pitchers in baseball with a lethal combination of fastball velocity, devastating sliders, and elite strikeout ability. With the Red Sox in need of a true front-line starter, acquiring Burnes would be a significant step forward in their efforts to contend for a playoff spot. However, signing Burnes will come at a hefty price, both in terms of trade assets and financial commitment.
Trade Cost: A Significant Investment
While Corbin Burnes is under team control through the 2024 season, he is arbitration-eligible, meaning the Brewers could look to move him for a significant return before he becomes a free agent. The Brewers are known for their shrewd moves in managing player contracts, and with Burnes entering his final year of arbitration, Milwaukee could be motivated to move him if they feel they won’t be able to reach a long-term deal.
For the Red Sox, acquiring Burnes would likely require offering a package of high-caliber prospects and possibly major league talent. Boston has a solid farm system, but with players like outfield prospect Wilyer Abreu, pitchers such as Brandon Walter or Chris Murphy, and even MLB-ready contributors like Triston Casas or Trevor Story in play, the cost could be steep. Additionally, the Brewers might demand one or more of these players, along with additional prospects, to justify the loss of Burnes, who would instantly improve any pitching staff.
Contract Projections: The Financial Commitment
Once Burnes is acquired, the Red Sox will also need to consider his financial demands. As of now, Burnes is expected to earn around $15 million through arbitration in 2024. However, securing him for the long term would require negotiating a multi-year extension. Given Burnes’ dominance on the mound, he will likely command a significant contract, potentially in the range of $150 million to $200 million for five to seven years, depending on the terms of the deal and the market conditions at the time.
Burnes is in his prime, and he could look to secure a long-term deal that makes him one of the highest-paid pitchers in the game. The Red Sox would need to be prepared to offer a deal that reflects his value, which could approach the contracts given to other top-tier pitchers in recent years. A deal in this range would make Burnes one of the cornerstones of the Red Sox rotation for years to come.
Conclusion
The Boston Red Sox’s pursuit of Corbin Burnes would likely require a substantial trade package, as well as a significant financial commitment for a long-term contract. The potential cost in both trade assets and salary could make this a high-stakes move, but the reward would be adding one of the most elite pitchers in baseball to their rotation, a key step toward returning to contention in the American League.
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