The Los Angeles Dodgers signed free agent pitcher Blake Snell to a five-year, $182 million deal the day before Thanksgiving. But there was another starting pitcher on the market who hoped he would land in Los Angeles this winter.
According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, right-hander Corbin Burnes preferred to join the Dodgers. In a conversation with Dodgers Nation’s Doug McKain, Nightengale gave insight on why he thinks Burnes hoped the reigning World Series champions would sign him.
“I’m sure Corbin Burnes wanted to go there,” Nightengale told McKain. “It’s probably tough for Corbin Burnes to see Snell there, not him. No one doesn’t want to pitch at Dodger Stadium — it’s a great pitcher’s ballpark. And obviously, you know, you’re a World Series contender every single year.”
The starting pitchers headlining this offseason included Burnes, Snell, and Max Fried. Snell was the first of the high-profile trio to find a new home. However, all three starters had been linked to the Dodgers at some point.
Several MLB executives believe Burnes will end up signing with the New York Mets this winter, which matches the speculation that the former Cy Young winner will sign with the highest bidder. The Mets have the financial power to land a big-name pitcher like Burnes.
In 2024, Burnes finished with a 2.92 ERA and a 15-9 record. Burnes punched 181 strikeouts in his first season with the Baltimore Orioles. Although the Orioles would love for the right-hander to return to the rotation in 2025, the organization likely can’t afford him.
Before Burnes’ phenomenal season with the Orioles, he spent six seasons in Milwaukee where he posted a 3.26 ERA and won the NL Cy Young in 2021. The right-hander was also a three-time All-Star in Milwaukee.
The Mets are in jeopardy of losing three starters who led them in the playoffs, which also gives the East Coast organization motivation to sign a big-name pitcher like Burnes. New York could lose Sean Manaea, Luis Severino, and Jose Quintana this winter.
The Dodgers will use a six-man rotation in 2025 and the team already has a handful of aces in the mix. Along with Snell, the Dodgers starting rotation will also feature Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Tyler Glasnow. All four pitchers would be any other team’s top pitcher.
The Dodgers could also add Japanese phenom Roki Sasaki this winter, but Burnes won’t be joining the Los Angeles pitching staff this offseason.
