The battle to sign Corbin Burnes seems to be down to three teams: the San Francisco Giants, Boston Red Sox, and Toronto Blue Jays. Each team has the financial capacity, need, and drive to land the former Cy Young winner, with a deal potentially worth over $250 million.
However, only one team will secure Burnes. This raises the question: what will the other two do if they miss out?
The best alternative on the market is Dodgers starter Jack Flaherty, whom Jon Heyman of the New York Post predicts will sign a four-year, $80 million contract.
Flaherty is unlikely to return to Los Angeles this offseason, as the Dodgers have already signed Blake Snell and are planning for Shohei Ohtani’s return as a pitcher in 2025. With Walker Buehler heading to the Red Sox, Flaherty finds himself on the outside, making him a logical fallback for teams that miss out on Burnes. This situation could even drive his value close to nine figures.
Among the Burnes suitors, the Red Sox are the least in need of starting pitching. If they fail to land Burnes, it’s unlikely they will spend big on Flaherty.
The Blue Jays, however, face pressure to strengthen their roster after losing out on Juan Soto. With Vladimir Guerrero Jr. set to become a free agent next year, Toronto needs to compete now. While Burnes would be a major addition, Flaherty could still serve as a reliable backup option.
As for the Giants, they are seen as the frontrunners to sign Burnes. If they miss out, turning to Flaherty—who is familiar with the NL West—would be an expected move.
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