The Red Sox are already being linked to various prominent free agents this winter, particularly top pitchers, and it’s no surprise that Corbin Burnes is also on their radar. Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports that the Red Sox are “in on” Burnes.
Craig Breslow, the team’s chief baseball officer, mentioned at the GM Meetings earlier this month that the Red Sox need to enhance their rotation by acquiring a No. 1 starter. Currently, Tanner Houck, Kutter Crawford, and Brayan Bello are projected as the top three pitchers. Lucas Giolito is expected to return close to the start of the season after internal brace surgery, while pitchers like Cooper Criswell, Richard Fitts, and Quinn Priester are candidates for the fifth starter spot.
Adding Burnes would significantly strengthen this group, as it would give the Red Sox an ace, allowing the other starters to move down a spot in the rotation and providing valuable depth in case Giolito or any other pitcher faces injuries. The team could even consider trading one of the younger pitchers, though it’s more likely they’ll keep all their options for depth.
The Red Sox have shown interest in Garrett Crochet’s market, suggesting they might look to address their rotation through trades rather than free agency. Their relatively conservative spending on free agents in recent years is well-known, with Trevor Story’s six-year, $ 140 million deal being the only nine-figure contract finalized in the last six offseasons. However, the Sox have been actively pursuing high-profile free agents this winter, possibly motivated by their four non-winning seasons in the last five years.
Burnes is ranked second only to Juan Soto on MLB Trade Rumors’ list of top 50 free agents, expected to command a seven-year, $ 200 million deal. Just a month after turning 30, Burnes arrives on the market following four consecutive All-Star selections and five straight top-eight finishes in the Cy Young voting. He won the award in 2021 with a league-leading 2.43 ERA over 167 innings with the Brewers.
Interestingly, that innings total was the lowest of Burnes’ past four seasons, as he averaged 197 innings from 2022 to 2024. He boasts a 3.08 ERA, a 26.4% strikeout rate, and a 7% walk rate over the last three years, successfully transitioning after being traded to the Orioles last offseason. While his 23.1% strikeout rate this season was just above league average, his Statcast metrics were strong, along with a 48.2% ground ball rate.
Since Burnes declined the Orioles’ qualifying offer, any team signing him would incur penalties. For the Red Sox, this would entail forfeiting $ 500,000 in international signing bonus pool money and their second-highest pick in the 2025 draft. This might be an acceptable trade-off for Boston, especially since they would receive a compensatory pick in the third round if Nick Pivetta, their own qualified free agent, signs elsewhere.
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