<p>The Toronto Blue Jays continue to have their eyes on top-tier free agents outside of Juan Soto, as<a href="https://twitter.com/MLBNetwork/status/1864680896822919570"> MLB Network&#8217;s Jon Morosi</a> reported earlier today that the Blue Jays had an in-person meeting with free agent Corbin Burnes the week leading up to the Winter Meetings.</p>
<p>Burnes is one of the top arms on the market this winter and the right-hander is coming off a stellar campaign in Baltimore after a six-year stint with the Milwaukee Brewers.</p>
<p>The California product posted a 2.92 ERA through 32 starts and 194 2/3 innings last year with the Orioles, posting a 1.096 WHIP and a 3.55 FIP. He saw a slight dip in his K/9 numbers (8.4 K/9 compared to a 9.3 mark in 2023) but his command was even more dialled this year &#8211; posting a 2.2 BB/9 mark in a tough AL East division. His statcast page is full of positive values, with Burnes posting a +27 pitching run value and ranking in the 95th percentile in hard-hit percentage.</p>
<p>He finished fifth in AL Cy Young voting this year and earned his fourth consecutive All-Star nomination.</p>
<h2>Blue Jays and Corbin Burnes have an in-person meeting</h2>
<p>At 30 years old, Burnes is looking to cash in on the back of a stellar few seasons that set him up as a frontline starter for any rotation he joins. He collected the 2021 NL Cy Young after amassing 243 strikeouts en route to a 1.63 FIP and a league-leading 2.43 ERA. He owns a 3.19 ERA through 199 appearances (138 starts) for his career, as the right-hander did not become a mainstay starter for the Brewers until the 2020 season.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">The Toronto Blue Jays have reportedly had an in-person meeting with free agent Corbin Burnes, per <a href="https://twitter.com/jonmorosi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@jonmorosi</a>. <a href="https://t.co/X946T05TTN">pic.twitter.com/X946T05TTN</a></p>
<p>&mdash; MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) <a href="https://twitter.com/MLBNetwork/status/1864680896822919570?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 5, 2024</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>The expectation is Burnes will sign a long-term deal (five years or more) and could surpass the <a href="https://x.com/Dodgers/status/1864080482175946977?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1864080482175946977%7Ctwgr%5E2e5ec796806b026f75f94a0be13bd84766a45fda%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sportsnet.ca%2Fmlb%2Farticle%2Fsigning-with-dodgers-was-easy-decision-for-two-time-cy-young-winner-blake-snell%2F">five-year, $182 million</a> Blake Snell inked with the Los Angeles Dodgers earlier this winter. Free agent starters are cashing in this winter, with Luis Severino<a href="https://x.com/JeffPassan/status/1864729503391531063"> just inking a three-year</a>, $67 million pact with the A&#8217;s this morning &#8211; an organization record.</p>
<p>Toronto has been kicking the tires on multiple starters this winter, <a href="https://bluejaysnation.com/news/reasons-why-blue-jays-might-acquire-an-impact-starting-pitcher">connecting with</a> left-hander Max Fried earlier this offseason &#8211; both are tied to draft pick compensation after both declined their respective qualifying offers. The club will also reportedly pursue Roki Sasaki &#8211; alongside all 29 other teams &#8211; through the international free-agent period once he becomes officially posted.</p>
<p>Over the next two seasons, the Blue Jays will have Chris Bassitt, Kevin Gausman, and José Berríos (player option) all free agent eligible &#8211; so it appears Ross Atkins and the front office staff are looking to add some more stability to the rotation this winter.</p>


The Toronto Blue Jays continue to have their eyes on top-tier free agents outside of Juan Soto, as<a href="https://twitter.com/MLBNetwork/status/1864680896822919570"> MLB Network's Jon Morosi</a> reported earlier today that the Blue Jays had an in-person meeting with free agent Corbin Burnes the week leading up to the Winter Meetings.

Burnes is one of the top arms on the market this winter and the right-hander is coming off a stellar campaign in Baltimore after a six-year stint with the Milwaukee Brewers.

The California product posted a 2.92 ERA through 32 starts and 194 2/3 innings last year with the Orioles, posting a 1.096 WHIP and a 3.55 FIP. He saw a slight dip in his K/9 numbers (8.4 K/9 compared to a 9.3 mark in 2023) but his command was even more dialled this year - posting a 2.2 BB/9 mark in a tough AL East division. His statcast page is full of positive values, with Burnes posting a +27 pitching run value and ranking in the 95th percentile in hard-hit percentage.

He finished fifth in AL Cy Young voting this year and earned his fourth consecutive All-Star nomination.
<h2>Blue Jays and Corbin Burnes have an in-person meeting</h2>
At 30 years old, Burnes is looking to cash in on the back of a stellar few seasons that set him up as a frontline starter for any rotation he joins. He collected the 2021 NL Cy Young after amassing 243 strikeouts en route to a 1.63 FIP and a league-leading 2.43 ERA. He owns a 3.19 ERA through 199 appearances (138 starts) for his career, as the right-hander did not become a mainstay starter for the Brewers until the 2020 season.

https://twitter.com/MLBNetwork/status/1864680896822919570

The expectation is Burnes will sign a long-term deal (five years or more) and could surpass the <a href="https://x.com/Dodgers/status/1864080482175946977?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1864080482175946977%7Ctwgr%5E2e5ec796806b026f75f94a0be13bd84766a45fda%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sportsnet.ca%2Fmlb%2Farticle%2Fsigning-with-dodgers-was-easy-decision-for-two-time-cy-young-winner-blake-snell%2F">five-year, $182 million</a> Blake Snell inked with the Los Angeles Dodgers earlier this winter. Free agent starters are cashing in this winter, with Luis Severino<a href="https://x.com/JeffPassan/status/1864729503391531063"> just inking a three-year</a>, $67 million pact with the A's this morning - an organization record.

Toronto has been kicking the tires on multiple starters this winter, <a href="https://bluejaysnation.com/news/reasons-why-blue-jays-might-acquire-an-impact-starting-pitcher">connecting with</a> left-hander Max Fried earlier this offseason - both are tied to draft pick compensation after both declined their respective qualifying offers. The club will also reportedly pursue Roki Sasaki - alongside all 29 other teams - through the international free-agent period once he becomes officially posted.

Over the next two seasons, the Blue Jays will have Chris Bassitt, Kevin Gausman, and José Berríos (player option) all free agent eligible - so it appears Ross Atkins and the front office staff are looking to add some more stability to the rotation this winter.

Report – Blue Jays and free agent right-hander Corbin Burnes have in-person meeting

Blue Jays series recap: Jays hit a bunch of home runs, but pitching let them down in series against Rays

Blue Jays pitchers’ home-run woes could prove troublesome versus Tigers’ thumping offence

Where are the 2025 Blue Jays now compared to this point last season?

Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Bowden Francis (44) pitches to the Cleveland Guardians during the third inning at Rogers Centre.

Recent articles from Tyson Shushkewich

Breaking News