Should Red Sox Make Big Splash? Former Cy Young Winner Could Be On Move

Boston should be keeping a close eye on the Brewers

The 2023 MLB season may have just started, but that doesn't mean that speculation about big moves isn't already beginning. 

One player who has been in trade rumors seemingly since the end of the 2022 season is Milwaukee Brewers ace Corbin Burnes and they are showing no signs of slowing down.

The Brewers have been red-hot to open the 2023 season and are 5-1 through six games and sit atop the National League Central standings, but they still may trade the 2021 National League Cy Young Award before the 2023 season to close, according to The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal.

"Any deadline speculation, however, is not misplaced," Rosenthal said. "The Brewers indeed might face difficult decisions, even if they are in contention. A number of their best players -- starting pitchers Corbin Burnes, Brandon Woodruff, and Eric Lauer, plus shortstop Willy Adames and first baseman Rowdy Tellez -- are eligible for free agency after the 2024 season.

"Against that backdrop, (general manager Matt Arnold) might be tempted to trade Burnes or Woodruff for multiple young arms at the deadline. The return would be far better than if the GM waited until the offseason when his starters would be available for only one pennant race instead of two, and at high arbitration salaries."

If Milwaukee were to consider trading Burnes this season, the Boston Red Sox should be first in line. The 28-year-old is under team control and won't be a free agent until after the 2024 season. Burnes already is a two-time All-Star and Cy Young Award winner and could help out a Boston roster that is looking for another top-of-the-rotation piece. Chris Sale hopefully will return to form for the club in 2023 after a plethora of injuries, but he now is 34-years-old so it wouldn't hurt to add another. 

Boston could return its entire starting rotation in 2024 if it saw fit, but adding Burnes to the mix could help take the club to the next level. The 28-year-old and the Brewers didn't see eye-to-eye this offseason in arbitration negotiations so it wouldn't be too surprising if he left in free agency if he were to get there. If Milwaukee wants a return, the best case scenario for the club would be to deal him this season as he still has another year of team control. 

It's unclear if Milwaukee will deal the star this season, but the Red Sox certainly should be watching him closely. 

More MLB: Pirates Star Outfielder May Make Sense If Red Sox Want To Make Big Splash In 2023