Orioles $225 Million Ace Predicted To Betray Baltimore For Hated Rival

The Baltimore Orioles have quite the problem on their hands this winter. Two of their more valuable players from the 2024 season, Corbin Burnes and Anthony Santander, are both unrestricted free agents. The growing speculation is both of these players will find better contracts with another team, which would leave the Orioles in shambles.

ESPN’s David Schoenfield doesn’t expect Burnes to sign back with the Orioles. Instead, Schoenfield predicts Burnes will sign a massive seven-year, $225 million deal with the Toronto Blue Jays, staying in the American League East, but in a different uniform. This could be the worst-case scenario for Baltimore.

“So, they need to have a backup plan this time to be all-in for 2025. That means going after Burnes, the No. 2 player on our free agent board. Chris Bassitt is a free agent after 2025 and Kevin Gausman is too after 2026, so they’ll need a long-term reinforcement for the rotation,” Schoenfield wrote. “Sign Burnes, get a bounce-back season from (Bo) Bichette, strengthen the bullpen and the Jays could jump back into playoff contention. And they should sign (Vladimir) Guerrero while they’re at it.”

There’s almost no chance that Baltimore will find the money to match the Blue Jays if Toronto aggressively pursues Burnes. Schoenfield has the Mets signing Juan Soto which would take them out of the Burnes sweepstakes.

Toronto would practically be bidding against the Orioles, Boston Red Sox, and the San Francisco Giants. In this bidding war, Toronto should be heavily favored.

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