The Los Angeles Dodgers are currently locked in a tight NLDS battle with the San Diego Padres, but it’s never too early to talk about the offseason. At least as far as fans and media pundits are concerned.
Bleacher Report’s Zachary D. Rymer recently put together a list of the top starting pitchers slated to be available in free agency this coming winter, and Baltimore Orioles ace Corbin Burnes was ranked No. 1.
Rymer doesn’t seem to think the Orioles will be re-signing Burnes, and he lists the Dodgers as one of the top potential landing spots for the right-hander.
He adds that he expects Burnes to land a deal similar to Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Gerrit Cole that will include $300 million or more in guarantees.
If there is one area in which Los Angeles needs help, its pitching, as the Dodgers ranked a rather pedestrian 15th in the majors with a 3.93 ERA this season.
Burnes would certainly help change that, as he went 15-9 with a 2.92 ERA while allowing 165 hits and registering 181 strikeouts in 2024. He made his fourth-straight All-Star appearance for his efforts.
The 29-year-old spent the first six years of his career with the Milwaukee Brewers before being traded to Baltimore last February.
Burnes owns a lifetime 3.19 ERA and has logged 10.5 strikeouts per nine innings. However, it should be noted that Burnes isn’t missing as many bats as he once did, as he posted 8.4 punchouts per nine innings this year. That represented his lowest mark since his rookie campaign back in 2018.
All things considered, Burnes will definitely be at the center of the hot stove discussion, and the Los Angeles Dodgers should certainly be in the mix for his services.
Make sure to come back for more analysis on everything sports at ViralSportsNews.net. Also, give us a follow on NewsBreak.
