SF Giants reportedly “enamored” with Milwaukee Brewers star pitcher

Star pitcher Corbin Burnes is not likely going to be with the Milwaukee Brewers past 2024, making a trade before then possible. If they do decide to sell, the SF Giants are one of several teams reportedly “enamored” with the 29-year-old pitcher, per Jon Morosi of the MLB Network.

SF Giants reportedly “enamored” with Milwaukee Brewers star pitcher

Morosi lists the Giants, Los Angeles Dodgers, San Diego Padres, and Los Angeles Angels as teams who are in need of pitching. He then follows this up by saying that all four teams are enamored with Burnes “to varying degrees.”

We ranked the top three starting pitchers who could be dealt this offseason with Burnes as the second-best option. The Brewers are going to want a sizable return for the right-handed pitcher, which is why someone like Tyler Glasnow might be preferable to the Giants front office. Glasnow does not have the same track record as Burnes but has flashed considerable upside when healthy. The Tampa Bay Rays seem more motivated to trade Glasnow, making a deal likely.

That said, Morosi quotes industry sources suggesting the expectation that Burnes is moved this winter. And, it makes sense for a team like the Brewers. He is entering his final year of arbitration in 2024. An extension before he reaches free agency is unlikely, so Milwaukee has to balance whether it makes sense to acquire prospect capital now by trading him or a compensatory pick through a rejected qualifying offer if he signs elsewhere a year from now.

Burnes checks a lot of boxes for a team like the Giants. He is the type of frontline starter that the Giants have been seeking. The righty pitcher has posted a 3.26 ERA across six seasons with the Brewers and he has been even better since the start of 2021, posting a 2.94 ERA in 93 starts in that time.

Of course, the Giants and prospective teams have to weigh whether it makes sense to give up prospect capital now to acquire Burnes or try to sign him in free agency next offseason.

The Giants might have a small advantage given that the six-year veteran is a California native. He grew up in Bakersfield but attended Saint Mary’s College, which is less than an hour away from San Francisco. Plus, Oracle Park is one of the more pitcher-friendly ballparks in baseball, which should make it a desirable destination for top pitchers.

The Giants have an immediate need for pitching this offseason given that Alex Cobb is expected to miss the start of next season after undergoing hip surgery. Behind Logan Webb, there are more questions than answers in the rotation. A move for someone like Burnes would create a formidable duo atop the rotation with Webb.