Following reports of a franchise sale earlier this week, the Baltimore Orioles executed a significant trade on Thursday night, securing former Cy Young winner Corbin Burnes from the Milwaukee Brewers.

This move holds immense significance for the Orioles, especially after their impressive 101-win season, with Burnes now filling the crucial role of a frontline starter that the team desperately needed. Over the past three years, Burnes has boasted a 2.94 ERA in 93 starts, culminating in his 2021 NL Cy Young Award.

In exchange for Burnes, Milwaukee acquired pitcher DL Hall, shortstop Joey Ortiz, and a 2024 competitive balance pick. At 29 years old, Burnes is set to become a free agent after the 2024 season, sparking curiosity among fans regarding the spending approach of the new ownership group, which takes over after decades under the Angelos family.

With 677 strikeouts in the last three years, Burnes ranks second only to the Yankees’ Gerrit Cole in that timeframe. Brewers GM Matt Arnold expressed gratitude for Burnes’ contributions, stating, “Corbin was a tremendous part of our recent seasons of success, and we appreciate all he contributed to the organization over the years.”

Burnes now assumes the role of the immediate ace in the Baltimore rotation, joining pitchers Kyle Bradish, Grayson Rodriguez, John Means, and Dean Kremer. Bradish had an outstanding second year in 2023, finishing fourth in AL Cy Young voting with a 2.83 ERA in 30 starts. Rodriguez, a top prospect, showed promise in his rookie season with a 2.58 ERA in 13 starts during the second half, following a challenging start to his career. Means, an All-Star in 2019, returned in late 2023 after overcoming Tommy John surgery.

The Orioles’ first-round pick in 2017, DL Hall, made his debut in 2022 and contributed with 18 appearances out of the bullpen in 2023. Ortiz, 25, debuted in 2023 and showcased versatility by playing second base, shortstop, and third. He posted a .321 batting average in 88 Class AAA games before his promotion and displayed power with 19 homers and 85 RBI across two levels in 2022.