Baltimore Orioles Complete Blockbuster Trade for Cy Young Winner

The Baltimore Orioles have made a big deal for a starting pitcher just a day after a new ownership announcement.

Just a day after learning it would have a new ownership group, the Baltimore Orioles have completed a major move to bolster its pitching staff.

Per USA Today, the Orioles have completed a deal to acquire Milwaukee Brewers ace Corbin Burnes, a move that adds a Cy Young winner to a young pitching staff.

USA Today reported that Burnes had been informed of the deal. The Orioles dealt Shortstop Joey Ortiz and left-hander D.L. Hall, per ESPN. MLB.com reported that the Brewers also received a Competitive Balance Round A pick from the Orioles. 

Burnes has been rumored as a potential trade target for several teams this offseason, mostly because Burnes is a free agent after the 2024 season. The move means the Brewers believe they’re not able to sign him to a long-term extension.

The Orioles already have a solid starting rotation, but it’s on the young side, anchored by Kyle Bradish, who was All-MLB Second Team and was fourth in Cy Young voting.

The rotation, as of now, also includes Grayson Rodriguez, John Means, Dean Kremer and Tyler Wells.

Burnes has been a reliable right-hander for Milwaukee, as he’s won at least 10 games each of his last three seasons and in 2021 he had an MLB-low 2.43 ERA. In 2023 he went 10-8 with a 3.39 ERA in 32 starts and had an NL-best WHIP of 1.069. He also won the 2021 Cy Young award.

The Orioles took fans for a ride they had not experienced since 2014. The Orioles won the American League East. In doing so, they won 101 games, the first time the Orioles won at least 100 games since 1980.

The Orioles lost to the Texas Rangers in the AL Division Series.