Last season was close to a dream year for Orioles fans; 2024 is shaping up to be even better.
Just a day after scorned owner John Angelos announced an agreement to sell the franchise to a group led by billionaire David Rubenstein, Baltimore agreed to a stunning blockbuster deal to acquire Brewers ace Corbin Burnes.
Burnes was the 2021 National League Cy Young Award winner, building on a breakthrough 2020, and he's remained one of the NL's top starters over the past two seasons with back-to-back All-Star selections.
The Orioles have been searching for rotation help since they became a contender last season, but until Thursday night, notable additions from outside the organization had been few and far between. In a signal that the organization's philosophy could be changing under new ownership, Baltimore has landed an apparent ace.
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Here are the details on what the Orioles gave up to land Burnes from Milwaukee.
Corbin Burnes trade details
The Brewers received two players and one draft pick for Burnes, according to MLB.com's Mark Feinsand.
Orioles receive
- SP Corbin Burnes
Brewers receive
- INF Joey Ortiz
- P DL Hall
- No. 34 pick in 2024 MLB Draft (Competitive Balance Round A)
Ortiz ranks as MLB Pipeline's No. 63 prospect in baseball, but given the Orioles' glut of young bats, he was expendable for Baltimore.
Already on the older end of the prospect spectrum at 25, Ortiz hit .321 with 9 home runs and an .885 OPS at triple-A Norfolk in 2023. He briefly appeared in the majors, playing 15 games with the Orioles.
Hall was a first-round pick of the Orioles in 2017 and battled injuries before reaching the majors in 2022. Developed as a starter, Hall has primarily filled out a relief role in Baltimore, but he he made 12 minor-league starts last season as well and could be stretched back into a starter by the Brewers.
Only competitive balance picks can be traded in baseball, and the Brewers take advantage of those rules by landing the 34th overall pick in the 2024 draft. Milwaukee will select 17th and 34th to kick off the MLB Draft in July.
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Corbin Burnes contract
Burnes is entering the final year of his contract, so he's in line to be a free agent after the 2024 season. He's set to make $15.6 million in 2024, after avoiding arbitration with the Brewers.
Burnes becomes the highest-paid player on the Orioles' 2024 roster, surpassing Craig Kimbrel, and he boosts Baltimore's payroll from 29th in baseball to 26th.
The Orioles will have a decision to make following the season, likely with new ownership in complete control by that point. Burnes will command a lucrative deal, barring a serious injury, and Baltimore has to be mindful of other young players in need of long-term contracts. Still, the deal for Burnes is an indicator that the Orioles are all-in on contending in 2024.
