The Orioles will have to look elsewhere for a No. 1 starter. Ever since free agency began in early November, the team had hoped to sign Corbin Burnes to a long-term contract, but early Saturday morning, Jon Heyman, of The New York Post, reported that the 30-year-old right-hander had agreed to a six-year, $210 million deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks. Burnes’ departure from the Orioles was confirmed by an industry source.
While there had been speculation that Burnes had offers from San Francisco, Boston, Toronto and the Orioles, the news that the Diamondbacks had agreed to a large deal, which includes an opt-out after the 2026 season, came as a surprise.
Burnes, who was 15-9 with a 2.92 ERA in his only season with the Orioles, was their best starting pitcher since Mike Mussina more than two decades ago.
Jack Flaherty, who pitched for the team in the last two months of the 2023 season, is the top remaining free agent. The Orioles also have been rumored to have interest in trading for San Diego’s Dylan Cease.