The New York Yankees exhausted every ounce of fighting spirit to land Yoshinobu Yamamoto this off-season. The team apparently planned to build a formidable starting pitching duo alongside Gerrit Cole. However, the pursuit fell apart due to LA Dodgers’ purchasing power and Yamamoto’s steep asking price.
Regardless, the team apparently had eyes on Milwaukee Brewers ace starting pitcher Corbin Burnes. The former CY Young pitcher recorded a strong season in 2023 and was floated as an ideal trade candidate for a lot of teams. However, the Bombers lost the pursuit, apparently to protect a key prospect of the farm system.
Yankees Let Go Corbin Burnes To Protect Spencer Jones!
The New York Yankees’ never-ending struggles with acquiring pitching depth this off-season have been second to none. The front office tried to purse every big name in the market. But were largely unsuccessful. Regardless, the team were presumed to be strong suitors for former CY Young pitcher Corbin Burnes. The Milwaukee Brewers pitcher was entering his walk year before hitting free agency next year. However, in a sudden change in tide, the AL-East rivals Baltimore Orioles ended up trading Burnes from the Orioles. Needless to say, the move baffled a lot of Yankee fans as they anticipated Corbin would land in the Bronx. Moreover, his move to an AL-East rival further stung the fans as they demanded answers. While not a lot is known about Yank’s fallout, it seems the club was trying to protect a top prospect.
As per Jon Heyman, the Yankees Corbin Burnes pursuit fell apart because the Brewers asked for no.1 prospect Spencer Jones. The outfield prospect slashed .267/.336/.444 with 16 home runs and 66 RBI at the High Single-A and Double-A levels in his first full season of professional baseball. He is widely being regarded as the next Aaron Judge in the making. Jones’ physique and athleticism have drawn intense similarity from the Yankee captain. Thus, the organization has set high expectations from Spencer Jones. Having said that, the decision to prioritize Jones’ development over acquiring Burnes underscores the Yanks’ commitment to building a sustainable and competitive team for the future. Burnes would have undoubtedly bolstered their pitching rotation in the short term. But the Bombers remain focused on nurturing their young talent and maintaining a strong pipeline of prospects.
Aaron Boone Calls Corbin Burnes Trade To Orioles A ‘Problem’
Meanwhile, the New York Yankees skipper is not at all amused with Corbin Burnes trade to Baltimore Orioles. At a recent event, Boone said that Burnes’ addition to Orioles could be a problem for NYY this coming season. The pitcher strengthens Baltimore’s roster by a significant margin which is not at all a good sign for the Yanks.
Having said that, Aaron Boone is keen to have a quality contest with Corbin Burnes in the coming season. The Yankees skipper acknowledged the pitcher’s caliber and called him a force to be reckoned with. However, at the same time, the manager also feels that Yanks have enough fire power to tackle Corbin’s feisty pitches.
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