Two of the best pitchers in the game are Burnes and Bieber. The fact that they are both approaching the last year of their contracts is what first gave rise to trade rumours. According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, that may also be the reason why Bieber and Burnes aren’t being traded before Opening Day.
However, it is becoming less likely that Burnes or Bieber will be dealt in the upcoming months. They both play for teams who intend to compete for division crowns, which reduces their value as free agents at the end of the current campaign, according to Passan.
2023 saw the Brewers win the NL Central. Milwaukee is anticipated to be a contender once more despite not being overly ambitious this offseason.
The 2022 season saw the Guardians win the AL Central, but they had a difficult 2023 campaign. They play in a lowly division, but they haven’t made many noteworthy changes either. As a result, even though they haven’t added anything, they may still compete.
Though it doesn’t seem like Bieber and Burnes will be transferred just yet, anything is still possible.
Despite having a less than stellar season in 2023, Burnes, 29, was nonetheless productive. With a WHIP of 1.069, he led the league in pitching to a 3.39 ERA. Add 200 strikeouts by Burnes.
In 2021, Burnes was awarded the NL Cy Young Award. In terms of performance, he has been constant throughout time. Since his debut season in 2018, he has pitched in at least 28 games every season (excluding the 2020 shorter season), making him one of the most durable arms in the game.
Even though Burnes just has one year left on his Brewers contract, teams are undoubtedly still interested in signing him. But the likelihood that Milwaukee will win another division crown is undoubtedly a major factor in Burnes’ refusal to be traded just yet.
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