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Orioles land former Cy Young winner Corbin Burnes in major trade with Brewers

Bob Nightengale

USA TODAY

On the heels of a reported franchise sale earlier in the week, the Baltimore Orioles made a huge trade acquiring former Cy Young winner Corbin Burnes from the Milwaukee Brewers on Thursday night

It's a monumental move for the Orioles coming off a 101-win season, with Burnes the frontline starter the team so desperately needs. Burnes has a 2.94 ERA in 93 starts over the past three years, winning the 2021 NL Cy Young award.

Milwaukee received pitcher DL Hall, shortstop Joey Ortiz and a 2024 competitive balance pick in the deal.

The 29-year-old Burnes is a free agent after the 2024 season. Until a few days ago, you'd have to assume that would make him an automatic rental in Baltimore – but fans will be eager to see if the new ownership group loosens the pursestrings after decades with the Angelos family in charge.

Burnes has 677 strikeouts over the past three years, second only to the Yankees' Gerrit Cole in that stretch.

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"Corbin was a tremendous part of our recent seasons of success, and we appreciate all he contributed to the organization over the years," Brewers GM Matt Arnold said in a statement.

Corbin Burnes won the 2021 NL Cy Young award.

Orioles rotation with Corbin Burnes

Burnes becomes the immediate ace of a Baltimore rotation that is expected to also include Kyle Bradish, Grayson Rodriguez, John Means and Dean Kremer.

Bradish was stellar a second-year player in 2023, posting a 2.83 ERA in 30 starts, finishing fourth in AL Cy Young voting. Rodriguez, a top prospect, made 23 starts as a rookie last season and was terrific in the second half with a 2.58 ERA in 13 starts – after a 7.35 mark in his first 10 career outings. Means, an All-Star in 2019, missed most of the past two seasons after Tommy John surgery but returned late in 2023 .