Blue Jays Intensify Pursuit of Free Agent Corbin Burnes Amid Offseason Ambitions

The Toronto Blue Jays recently held an in-person meeting with free agent right-hander Corbin Burnes, as reported by MLB Network's Jon Morosi. Toronto has been linked to Burnes earlier this offseason, but this direct engagement signals the seriousness of their pursuit. Burnes is among several high-profile free agents connected to the Blue Jays, including Juan Soto, Max Fried, Anthony Santander, Willy Adames, and Alex Bregman.

There is a growing sentiment within the industry that the Blue Jays are highly motivated, perhaps even desperate, to make a significant splash in the free agent or trade market this offseason. With Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette entering their final years of club control, and Chris Bassitt becoming a free agent next winter, the team faces an urgency to strengthen their roster. Additionally, Kevin Gausman’s contract runs through 2026, adding to the pressure on the current management, as team president Mark Shapiro enters the final year of his contract and general manager Ross Atkins is signed through 2026. Despite nearly a decade at the helm, they have not secured a postseason win since 2016, leading to increased speculation about their job security.


While it is hard to envision the Blue Jays committing over $600 million for Soto and then another $200 million+ for Burnes, the team appears to be preparing contingency plans in case Soto chooses another suitor such as New York, Boston, or Los Angeles. Instead, the Jays could use the same financial commitment to extend Guerrero, sign one of Burnes or Fried, and also add Adames, Bregman, or Santander. This diversified approach might mitigate the risk associated with a single large contract, although it comes with the trade-off of signing players older than the 26-year-old Soto, who are more likely to decline sooner.

​Focusing specifically on Burnes, he would provide a significant upgrade to the Blue Jays’ already strong rotation, which includes Gausman, Bassitt, and Jose Berrios. Burnes, who pitched 194 1/3 innings with a 2.92 ERA for the Orioles last season, would create one of the best one-through-four rotations in baseball. Right-handers Bowden Francis and Yariel Rodriguez would then compete for the fifth spot. Given Toronto's lack of experienced rotation depth, adding a durable workhorse like Burnes—who ranks third in the majors in innings pitched and fourth in ERA since 2020—would be a considerable asset.