<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.

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