The New York Yankees are facing a multitude of challenging decisions this winter regarding their roster for the 2025 season, one of which prominently features starting pitcher Gerrit Cole, who has recently activated his opt-out clause, thereby prompting speculation about whether the team might let him depart; if they do choose to part ways with Cole, could they potentially pursue follow ace Corbin Burnes as a suitable replacement? Chris Kirschner and Brendan Kuty from The Athletic elaborated on this complex situation during a discussion on Saturday, suggesting that the most likely outcome involves the Yankees choosing to void Cole’s opt-out by extending his contract by one additional year and adding $36 million to the existing terms, which would consequently raise the total financial commitment for Cole in New York to an impressive $180 million over the next five seasons, as indicated by Spotrac.
However, if the Yankees opt not to retain Cole, Kirschner and Kuty pointed out that they might consider other viable options, including the possibility of acquiring Corbin Burnes, the ace of the Baltimore Orioles, who, being four years younger and available as a free agent, could provide a compelling alternative given his recent accolades.
This strategic move would not only strengthen the Yankees’ pitching staff but could also complicate the offseason plans for Baltimore, as Burnes has established himself as one of the most effective pitchers in baseball in recent years, making multiple All-Star appearances and finishing within the top ten in Cy Young Award voting four times since 2020, not to mention his impressive triumph as the NL Cy Young Award winner in 2021 while playing for the Milwaukee Brewers.
In the 2023 season, Burnes recorded a solid 15-9 record, a 2.92 ERA, a 1.10 WHIP, and an impressive total of 181 strikeouts over 194 and one-third innings, showcasing the level of production that the Yankees would be looking to acquire if they indeed pursue him; however, such exceptional performance is unlikely to come at a bargain price.
Zachary D. Rymer of Bleacher Report predicted back on August 1 that Burnes could potentially secure an extensive eight-year deal worth approximately $288 million, while Spotrac has assessed his market value at around six years and $180 million. Considering that the Yankees have other pressing needs, especially with the necessity of re-signing outfielder Juan Soto being a top priority on their offseason agenda, the rationale behind voiding Cole’s opt-out clause begins to appear more sensible, even though it would entail a premium payment as Cole enters the later stages of his career, which inherently carries its own risks; nevertheless, the savings realized from avoiding Burnes’s potentially hefty contract could allow New York to also focus on retaining Soto or exploring alternatives for first base, thereby enhancing their overall roster depth for the upcoming season.
