The Chicago Cubs will do everything they can to close the gap between themselves and the Milwaukee Brewers. That may mean spending big in free agency on starting pitching.
Bleacher Report's Erik Beaston predicts the Cubs will sign Corbin Burnes in free agency. Burnes played for manager Craig Counsell in Milwaukee.
"Meanwhile, Burnes' former manager Craig Counsell, for whom he had his best season professionally in 2021, will be looking for another ace out in Chicago with the Cubs," wrote Beaston. "Such a move would be a statement one and, with Shota Imanaga, Burnes would prove the Cubbies with a one-two punch that would rank among the strongest in the league."
Imanaga proved to be a great signing for the Cubs as he was named an All-Star in his first year in Major League Baseball. The Cubs also have Justin Steele, who was an All-Star in 2023. Burnes is projected to sign a six-year, $180 million deal by Spotrac.
"The Orioles under Mike Elias has never offered a free agent a multi-year contract. It would seem rather unlikely, even with new ownership in David Rubenstein, that a trend dating back to 2018 suddenly changes," wrote Beaston.
Burnes was named to his fourth consecutive All-Star Game this year. His 2.92 ERA this season has set him up for a big payday. Chicago has a chance to be pretty good in 2025, and landing someone of his caliber certainly could take the club to another level.
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