The departure of Corbin Burnes from the Milwaukee Brewers was not merely an organizational loss for the Brewers; it had ripple effects that reverberated throughout the league, particularly for teams like the Baltimore Orioles. For the Orioles, a front-office decision that was sorely needed in response to Burnes’ exit remains conspicuously absent. This absence of action is puzzling considering the considerable talent Burnes represents and the competitive window that the Orioles have carefully been working toward.
Burnes, a former Cy Young award winner and one of the best pitchers in Major League Baseball, epitomizes a rare kind of pitching talent that doesn’t come around often. His ability to generate strikeouts, limit walks, and manage high-leverage innings makes him one of the most coveted arms in the league. His departure from the Brewers—whether through trade or free agency—should have sent shockwaves through front offices across the league. Yet, in Baltimore, the response has been tepid at best, signaling a missed opportunity for the Orioles to further solidify their championship aspirations.
The Orioles’ Position in the AL East
In the modern MLB, the importance of a strong pitching staff cannot be overstated. The Baltimore Orioles, an organization that has been in a rebuilding phase for much of the past decade, have finally emerged as contenders in the American League East. After a promising 2023 season, the Orioles are poised to challenge the established powers of the division, including the New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, and Tampa Bay Rays. However, the Orioles’ pitching staff remains a relative weak link, especially when compared to the high-octane offenses that dominate the AL East.
In 2023, the Orioles featured a potent lineup led by players like Adley Rutschman, Gunnar Henderson, and Austin Hays. Their offense was one of the most dangerous in the league, and their ability to outslug opponents gave them a distinct advantage. However, the team’s pitching—while decent—lacked the elite ace that can carry a team through the postseason. The Orioles had promising arms like Grayson Rodriguez, Kyle Bradish, and Dean Kremer, but none of these pitchers were truly considered aces in the way that Burnes is.
Corbin Burnes, with his track record of dominance and consistency, could have been the exact kind of pitcher the Orioles needed to take that next step toward contention. His departure from Milwaukee represented an opportunity that the Orioles front office should have been quick to act upon, yet this has not been the case.
Corbin Burnes’ Talent and Fit with the Orioles
To fully understand why Burnes’ departure was a critical moment for the Orioles, it’s important to dive into his unique skill set and how it aligns with what the Orioles needed. Burnes, who broke into the majors with a dazzling fastball and curveball combination, is a strikeout artist. Over his career, he has posted a strikeout rate well above the league average, making him a pitcher who could consistently neutralize dangerous hitters, particularly in high-leverage situations. His ability to limit hard contact and keep the ball in the park would have been especially valuable at Camden Yards, a ballpark that has seen its fair share of home runs in recent years.
One of Burnes’ standout traits is his ability to generate whiffs on a variety of pitches. His curveball, in particular, has long been regarded as one of the best in the game, and his fastball is capable of touching the mid-to-high 90s. For a team like the Orioles, who have traditionally struggled to develop elite starting pitching, Burnes could have been a stabilizing force at the top of the rotation. His durability and consistency would have given manager Brandon Hyde a reliable arm to lean on throughout the long MLB season, especially when it came to facing tough division rivals like the Yankees or Rays.
In addition to his on-field skills, Burnes also brings postseason experience. While the Brewers have not made deep playoff runs during his tenure, Burnes has still demonstrated an ability to perform in high-pressure situations. For the Orioles, a team with aspirations of competing in October, this kind of experience is invaluable. Adding a pitcher of Burnes’ caliber would have not only strengthened the rotation but also given the team a level of credibility in the eyes of both fans and opposing teams.
The Orioles’ Front Office and Missed Opportunities
The Orioles front office, led by executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias, has made significant strides in recent years. The team’s player development system is among the best in the league, and its aggressive approach to analytics and modern baseball philosophy has helped them build a solid foundation. But despite these advancements, the team’s response to Corbin Burnes’ departure—or rather, the lack of one—raises questions about the Orioles’ commitment to seizing championship windows.
Baltimore has been known for a patient, measured approach when it comes to building its roster. After years of underperformance and a series of disappointing seasons, the Orioles rebuilt from the ground up, focusing on player development, scouting, and a strong emphasis on analytics. This approach has yielded significant results, with players like Rutschman, Henderson, and Rodriguez representing the core of what is shaping up to be a perennial contender.
However, while the Orioles have been lauded for their long-term vision, it’s worth questioning whether this same vision has caused them to hesitate when it comes to addressing immediate needs. Corbin Burnes’ departure was an opportunity for the Orioles to take a more aggressive stance in their pursuit of a championship. The team could have pursued a trade for Burnes when rumors of his availability first emerged, or they could have aggressively entered the free-agent market if Burnes opted to test the open waters.
One of the key questions surrounding the Orioles’ front office is whether they truly believe they are one ace away from competing for a World Series title. Given the league’s current landscape, it’s clear that the elite teams in baseball are built not just on offensive firepower, but also on dominant pitching. While the Orioles have made significant strides in their bullpen and have several promising young starters, they remain a team without an ace, and the gap between them and other championship contenders may remain insurmountable without one.
The AL East Arms Race
The American League East is one of the most competitive divisions in baseball, and it has been for years. Teams like the Yankees and Rays have consistently had deep rosters filled with talent, and the Red Sox, while in a transition phase, still boast the resources to make a splash when necessary. In this environment, the Orioles cannot afford to be passive. The opportunity to add an ace like Burnes, a true difference-maker, was a rare chance to push the team into the upper echelon of the division.
For the Yankees, acquiring ace-caliber pitchers like Gerrit Cole and Luis Severino has been part of their long-term strategy for remaining competitive. The Rays, known for their ability to identify underappreciated pitching talent, continue to develop their pitching staff with an eye toward competing for championships. The Orioles, by contrast, have yet to make that move, choosing instead to rely on the potential of unproven pitchers and young talent.
The fact that the Orioles did not aggressively pursue Corbin Burnes—or other top-tier pitchers available at the time—suggests a certain level of caution, or perhaps a failure to fully recognize the urgency of their situation. As the league’s top teams continue to build and improve, the Orioles risk falling behind in the arms race if they do not secure an ace-caliber pitcher soon.
The Need for Immediate Action
As the 2025 season looms, the Orioles’ front office must act swiftly to address the pitching deficit that still lingers. While their offense is among the best in the league, the team’s rotation remains a significant question mark. Burnes’ departure from the Brewers should have been the catalyst for a move that could have secured the Orioles’ place as a true contender in the AL East. Whether the front office simply misread the situation or hesitated out of a desire to protect the team’s young core, the missed opportunity remains glaring.
Now, the Orioles must look forward and explore other avenues to acquire the ace they so desperately need. Whether through trade, free agency, or another creative solution, the team must recognize that the window for competing for a championship is open, but it won’t remain open indefinitely. The time to act is now, and the failure to respond to Burnes’ departure may prove to be a pivotal moment in the Orioles’ pursuit of greatness.
In the cutthroat world of Major League Baseball, the teams that seize opportunities are often the ones that rise to the top. The Orioles’ front office must take a more aggressive approach to bolster their pitching staff and ensure that they are not left behind in the ever-competitive AL East. The departure of Corbin Burnes was an opportunity too good to miss, and the front office’s failure to act in the wake of that moment may be a decision they will come to regret.
