MLB Rumors: Juan Soto Meets With Another AL East Rival, Orioles Looking Beyond Corbin Burnes
Buckle up, baseball fans — the rumor mill is officially going full throttle, and it’s safe to say there’s no slowing down. This time, front and center are rumors surrounding San Diego Padres’ slugger Juan Soto and the Milwaukee Brewers’ ace, Corbin Burnes. The 2023 season may be behind us, but Major League Baseball’s hot stove is cooking now more than ever, as teams scramble to secure key assets ahead of the next season.
While the New York Yankees and other AL East rivals have previously been in discussions around Soto, it looks like another team in the mix is quietly making waves — the Baltimore Orioles.
Juan Soto’s Name Back in Trade Talks
Juan Soto isn’t unfamiliar with being the talk of trade rumors. Ever since his blockbuster trade from the Washington Nationals to the San Diego Padres in 2022, rumors of his future have been a constant backdrop to his career. And with the Padres coming off a roller-coaster 2023, it doesn’t come as a big shock that Soto’s name is once again generating buzz around the league.
MLB insiders, including those at CBS Sports, are hearing rumblings that San Diego is at least listening to trade inquiries. And Soto, being a generational talent, is an obvious candidate for teams aiming to bolster their offense. But it’s not just any team that Soto has been linked to recently — the newest team inquiring about Soto’s availability is none other than the Baltimore Orioles. Yep, you read that right, the O’s have thrown their hats into the Soto sweepstakes.
Looking to build on a campaign that saw them finish as one of the top teams in the American League, it’s no surprise that Baltimore wants to add some serious firepower to their lineup. Juan Soto, a player with a career .284 batting average and an OPS that regularly flirts with the 1.000 mark, is the kind of hitter any team would dream of adding to its roster. And while it’s still early-stage speculation, don’t rule out the Orioles just yet.
AL East Rivals Keeping an Eye on Soto
Of course, let’s not forget that the Yankees, as always, remain in the hunt. They’ve been keen on Soto for a while now and are reportedly looking to make significant improvements after a lackluster 2023 season that saw them miss playoff contention. But if the Orioles are serious about getting aggressive this offseason, they could easily complicate the Yankees’ efforts. After all, Soto’s potential arrival in Baltimore would shake up the entire AL East. Picture the fireworks with Soto in Camden Yards, building on the Orioles’ meteoric rise last season. Who wouldn’t want to see that?
And all of this comes with a ticking clock. Soto is a free agent in the 2024 offseason, so his next move, whether with the Padres or somewhere else, is likely to define what the next couple of seasons look like for whichever team he lands on.
Orioles Shifting Focus From Corbin Burnes
Another headline? The Orioles are broadening their search beyond just Corbin Burnes, the superstar ace for the Milwaukee Brewers. Burnes has drawn considerable interest from clubs across the league, and it’s understandable why. The 2021 Cy Young Award winner has been lights out on the mound, with a dominating presence that has made him one of baseball’s top-tier pitchers.
But here’s the scoop: the Orioles reportedly aren’t putting all their eggs in the Burnes basket. Sure, they’d love to land a transformational ace like Burnes, but GM Mike Elias is staying nimble and keeping his options open. The team is reportedly exploring other available pitchers — think names like Shane Bieber, Tyler Glasnow, or even Japanese sensation Yoshinobu Yamamoto — to shore up their pitching rotation.
Orioles’ Grand Plan for 2024
Let’s be realistic: given how close the Orioles were to a postseason breakthrough in 2023, it’s not surprising that they’re eyeing impact moves. The team surged ahead of schedule, led by breakout stars like Adley Rutschman and Gunnar Henderson, two younger players who seem poised to lead Baltimore for years to come. Adding a player like Soto to an already impressive roster could be like lighting a fuse on a fireworks show in Charm City. Throw in a legitimate ace, and the Orioles suddenly look like serious contenders in not just the AL East, but the entire league.
But it’s not all rainbows and grand slams. Securing players like Soto, Burnes, or any marquee names in the offseason comes at a steep price. The Orioles may have to be ready to part with some of their highly-talented prospect pool, which has been among the best in the majors. But considering what’s at stake, especially in a division as stacked as the AL East, it might be time for Baltimore to play a little more aggressively.
- Pitchers under Orioles’ radar:
- Shane Bieber
- Tyler Glasnow
- Yoshinobu Yamamoto
What’s Next for Corbin Burnes?
Meanwhile, Burnes might be looking at a fresh start in the 2024 season as well. Brewers’ decision-makers aren’t ruling out trades either, especially given the tensions that arose last offseason after the club went to an arbitration hearing with the ace. There’s no doubt Burnes wants to put that chapter behind him, and a move to a contending team like the Orioles, Dodgers, or another sleeper team could end up being the ideal scenario for him.
The fact remains: there’s a bunch of highly-competitive teams vying to come out of the offseason as winners by locking down marquee pitchers, and Burnes is very much on their radar.
Soto’s Next Destination: A Game-Changer
Back to Juan Soto, let’s face it — whichever team lands the slugger, whether it’s the Yankees, Orioles, or someone else, it’s going to reverberate throughout MLB. Soto plays the game on a different level, as his career averages prove. He’s a game-changing, franchise-altering presence in any lineup, and his availability is making every general manager in the game sit up and take notice.
If the Padres finally decide to pull the trigger and move the 24-year-old outfielder, one of the league’s youngest and most talented players is about to change the balance of power in whichever division he lands in.
The Clock Is Ticking!
The offseason is still young, but the rumors just keep heating up. Will the Yankees go all-in on Soto, or can the Orioles come in with a surprise move to claim him? Moreover, will the O’s make a significant offer for Burnes or pivot to another ace to establish dominance on the mound next season? Time will tell, but one thing’s for sure: buckle up, because it’s going to be one wild offseason in Major League Baseball.
Teams to Watch During This Offseason
- Baltimore Orioles: Could they pull off the surprise move of the offseason?
- New York Yankees: Always ready to pounce when a star becomes available.
- Los Angeles Dodgers: A team never afraid to trade big or break out the checkbook.
As the 2024 season draws closer, fans should expect to hear more about trade negotiations, signings, and blockbuster deals that could dramatically shake up the landscape of the upcoming season. With players like Juan Soto and Corbin Burnes as potential targets, the defining moment of this offseason may just be right around the corner. Stay tuned!
Originally Written by: Mike Axisa
