Yankees fans didn’t hold back on social media earlier this week when news broke that the Orioles had acquired ace Corbin Burnes from the Brewers.
Many were fuming.
Why didn’t the Yankees get Burnes?!
The Yankees had shown interest in a Burnes at different points this winter, unsure if Milwaukee would ultimately part ways with their All-Star starter. Now, not only did the Yankees not get him, but he’s pitching for a division rival, the team that just won 101 games in 2023.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone had an adverse reaction to the Burnes blockbuster as well.
“That could be a little bit of a problem,” Boone said on Saturday afternoon, speaking at this year’s Pinstripe Pride event at American Dream in East Rutherford, N.J.
He’s not wrong.
Burnes is one of the best starting pitchers in baseball, right up there with Yankees ace Gerrit Cole. He’s a former Cy Young Award winner, an All-Star in each of the last three seasons with a 3.26 ERA in his six-year career. He’s also entering a contract year in 2024, meaning he’s extra motivated to shine and earn more money next winter.
The Orioles were already a favorite to repeat in the American League East, poised to improve with their elite young core and baseball’s top prospect Jackson Holliday on the way. With Burnes, they erased one of their only weaknesses, injecting a bona fide ace into a strong starting staff.
“Obviously an amazing pitcher going to a great team,” Boone added. “We’ll see a lot of him. Look forward to the opportunity to compete against the best, though.”
Burnes has faced the Yankees only one time in his career, a start at Yankee Stadium last summer.
Remember how that went for the Yankees?
The right-hander threw eight no-hit innings against the Yankees with seven strikeouts. The Yankees didn’t have a hit until the 11th inning in that wild game, winning on a walk-off double by catcher Kyle Higashioka in the 13th frame.
Depending on how the schedule falls, the Yankees will probably face…
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