Baltimore Orioles Shock Baseball World with Blockbuster Trade for Former Cy Young Winner
The Baltimore Orioles have once again made waves in the baseball world with a jaw-dropping move to bolster their rotation. In a blockbuster trade, the Orioles acquired former Cy Young Award winner Corbin Burnes from the Milwaukee Brewers, sending shockwaves through Major League Baseball.
The Trade Details
The Orioles sent infielder Joey Ortiz, left-handed pitcher DL Hall, and their 2024 Competitive Balance Round A Draft pick to the Brewers in exchange for Burnes. This move was a clear statement by Baltimore’s front office that they were serious about contending for a championship.
Burnes, the 2021 National League Cy Young winner, had established himself as one of the most dominant pitchers in the game during his tenure with Milwaukee. With a devastating arsenal of pitches, including an elite cutter and a wipeout curveball, Burnes had consistently been among the league leaders in ERA, strikeouts, and advanced metrics such as FIP and xERA.
Impact on the Orioles
For the Orioles, acquiring Burnes was a game-changing move. Heading into the 2024 season, their biggest question mark was the starting rotation. The young core, led by Adley Rutschman, Gunnar Henderson, and Jackson Holliday, was already shaping up to be one of the best in baseball. Adding a frontline ace like Burnes immediately elevated Baltimore’s pitching staff and made them a legitimate World Series contender.
The trade energized the fanbase, as it signaled a shift from a rebuilding mindset to a “win-now” approach. After years of accumulating prospects and developing homegrown talent, the Orioles were finally making the type of aggressive move that championship teams make.
Burnes’ Performance in Baltimore
Burnes didn’t disappoint in his lone season with the Orioles. He provided stability and dominance at the top of the rotation, helping lead Baltimore to an AL East title. His presence also had a ripple effect, taking pressure off younger pitchers and giving the team a true ace to match up against other contenders in the postseason.
Despite his success in Baltimore, Burnes entered free agency after the 2024 season. The Orioles made an effort to retain him, but ultimately, the Arizona Diamondbacks landed the star pitcher with a six-year, $210 million contract, the largest deal in Diamondbacks history.
Orioles’ Next Move: Signing Tomoyuki Sugano
With Burnes departing, Baltimore needed to find a replacement. They turned to Tomoyuki Sugano, a 35-year-old Japanese pitcher and two-time Sawamura Award winner (Japan’s equivalent of the Cy Young). The Orioles signed Sugano to a one-year, $13 million deal, hoping he could provide stability and experience to their rotation.
Looking Ahead
The Orioles’ bold move to acquire Burnes signified their arrival as a serious contender. While his tenure in Baltimore was short-lived, the impact of the trade will be felt for years. With a young, talented roster and an aggressive front office, the Orioles are poised to be a force in the American League for the foreseeable future.
