MLB Insider has the Blue Jays signing Corbin Burnes.
Photo credit: Yard Barker
Now that lefty Max Fried has signed a staggering eight-year $218 Million contract with the New York Yankees as reported by Jeff Passan of ESPN, right-hander Corbin Burnes is the consensus top free agent starter available on the market.
That should put Burnes in a strong position to come close or at least match Fried's pact with the Yankees.
A report from MLB insider Mark Feinsand of MLB.com suggests the Toronto Blue Jays and San Francisco Giants as the «most aggressive clubs in pursuit of Burnes.
The Blue Jays, who Feinsand notes is considered the «favorite» to land Burnes, have been involved on a number of top free agents this winter.
The Blue Jays made their first major moves of the winter meetings yesterday by agreeing to terms with right handed reliever Yimi Garcia, while trading infielder Spencer Horwitz and outfield prospect Nick Mitchell to the Cleveland Gaurdians.
In return from the Gaurds, Ross Atkins landed three time gold glove winner Andres Gimenez and right handed reliever Nick Sandlin.
As for the Giants, the club has a clear hole at the front of their rotation after southpaw Blake Snell left in free agency for division rival Dodgers.
Much like the Blue Jays, San Francisco has been deeply involved in the upper levels of free agency in the past several years.
The Giants recently signed short stop Willy Adames to a seven-year $182 Million deal.
While supplementing their young core with a top starter alongside their twin investments in Adames and former Blue Jay Gold Glove third baseman Matt Chapman would make plenty of sense however rumors have surfaced that the Giants could look to scale back payroll this year.
Therefore it's difficult to imagine the Giants to do so while also signing a big ticket ace like Burnes.
Given that reality, it's no surprise that sources told Feinsand they were «skeptical» of San Francisco's odds of outbidding Toronto if the Jays are determined in their pursuit of Burnes.
A Toronto starting five of Corbin Burnes, Jose Berrios, Kevin Gausman,Chris Bassit and Bowden Francis would definitely be a force to be reckoned with in the AL East.
And lets not forget the re-emergence of Alek Manoah in the second half of 2024 before his unfortunate injury in which he needed Tommy John surgery.
Manoah is expected to be ready for spring training where he and Bowden Francis will be competing for the fifth spot.
Yariel Rodriguez who previously occupied that spot will be expected to move to middle relief where he has much experience.
If Ross Atkins can pull off a signing Burnes it may just save his job for a little longer in Blue Jay land.
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