Oh boy, the Orioles have really done it this time. They snagged 2021 NL Cy Young winner Corbin Burnes, and honestly, it’s a sigh of relief for fans all over. Baltimore’s GM, Mike Elias, has been cooking up something special with a radical rebuild. This led to an incredibly stacked farm system that’s been flexing its muscles over the past couple of seasons.
But here’s the kicker: Elias hadn’t really made a big splash by adding established talent from outside the organization. That is, until this Burnes trade happened. This is a massive win for Elias and marks a significant shift for a franchise that’s just been sold to new owners.
Let’s talk farm systems for a sec. They’re crucial for two reasons. First, you want those prospects to blossom into major-league stars. Second, they’re currency for snagging established talent through trades. Ideally, you’d build such an insane farm system that trading becomes an afterthought. But, let’s be real, not all prospects pan out.
Championship teams often have a mix of homegrown talent, savvy trades, and strategic free-agent signings. Just look at the World Series champion Rangers. They had it all: Corey Seager, Marcus Semien, Josh Jung, Evan Carter, Jordan Montgomery, Max Scherzer… the list goes on. The perfect cocktail for a championship.
Remember last season? The Rangers booted the 101-win Orioles out in the ALDS. The Orioles’ playoff rotation just wasn’t cutting it. Yet. Flashback to 2017, Elias was with the Astros when they added ace Justin Verlander. Boom, World Series win a few months later. Since then, four AL pennants and two World Series titles.
Now, Burnes is a different story, but Elias’ aggression here? I’m all for it. Burnes is eyeing free agency after the 2024 season. Elias had been hoarding prospects like they were going out of style, with no clear plan for many of them.
The Orioles, bless their hearts, weren’t exactly splurging on payroll (ranking 27th or lower in the last five seasons). But this Burnes deal? It’s a bold move toward the present rather than just dreaming about the future. You don’t want to sleep on that championship window.
Think NFL strategies – surrounding a young, affordable QB with top talent is a game-changer. The Orioles, with their roster of pre-arbitration players, are in a prime position to make similar moves. Burnes, even with his $15.6 million tag in 2024, could be just what they need.
The Burnes deal is intriguing. It’s essentially trading two young, controllable talents for a high-priced ace, possibly for just a season. Elias, previously dubbed a “prospect hugger” by some (including me, I’ll admit), has shown he’s willing to shake things up.
With Burnes, the Orioles’ rotation looks drastically different. Imagine this playoff lineup: Burnes, the ace and Cy Young winner; Kyle Bradish, with his impressive ERA and Cy Young votes; Grayson Rodriguez, the young gun with ace potential; and John Means, the comeback kid. Before this deal, the top spot was a gaping hole.
Elias has made his move, and it’s a big one. This isn’t just about the short term. It signals to Orioles fans that the front office is ready to use its prospect wealth to bring in star power from outside. Before, we couldn’t be sure. Now, it’s clear this isn’t just a prospect-collecting club. As they say, flags fly forever, but you don’t win flags for farm system rankings.
For the Orioles, this move is a step toward capturing their first World Series title since 1983. And let me tell you, it’s about time.
