According to Blue Jays reporter Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet, Toronto appears unlikely to secure free agent superstar pitcher Corbin Burnes this offseason. Nicholson-Smith noted this sentiment in his recap of the winter meetings, stating that while the Blue Jays remain active in conversations with prominent free agents like Teoscar Hernández and Joc Pederson, Burnes does not seem like a realistic option for the team at this point.
This news is a letdown for Blue Jays fans, especially given earlier reports that had pegged Toronto as a strong contender to land Burnes. Missing out on Burnes would add to a string of high-profile players the Jays have been unable to acquire in recent offseasons, including Shohei Ohtani, Juan Soto, and Max Fried, with the latter reportedly not even receiving a formal offer from the team.
While Burnes would be a significant addition, the Blue Jays currently have a full rotation on paper, featuring Chris Bassitt, Kevin Gausman, José BerrÃos, Yariel RodrÃguez, and Bowden Francis. Adding Burnes would allow Toronto to shift RodrÃguez to the bullpen, an area that struggled last season and could benefit from added depth.
Burnes, a four-time All-Star and former Cy Young Award winner, most recently pitched for the Baltimore Orioles, posting an impressive 15-9 record with a 2.92 ERA in 2024. Before joining Baltimore, Burnes spent six successful years with the Milwaukee Brewers, establishing himself as one of the premier arms in baseball.
Despite their pursuit of marquee talent, the Blue Jays are coming off a disappointing 74-88 season, finishing last in the highly competitive American League East and missing the playoffs. This was a sharp downturn for a team that had made postseason appearances in 2022 and 2023, raising expectations for sustained success.
The potential signing of Burnes represented an opportunity for the Blue Jays to bolster their pitching staff and reinvigorate their competitive standing. However, with this acquisition now appearing unlikely, Toronto may need to focus on other avenues to strengthen its roster. Players like Hernández or Pederson could provide offensive boosts, but the absence of a top-tier arm like Burnes could leave a notable gap in their efforts to return to playoff contention.
The Blue Jays’ inability to secure high-profile targets underscores the challenges they face in improving within a division stacked with talented rivals. As the offseason progresses, the team will need to pivot quickly to ensure it addresses its roster needs and avoids further regression.
