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Photo Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

How the Orioles-Brewers Winter Blockbuster is Working Out

Originally posted on Last Word On Sports | By Ari Plotkin | Last updated 5/21/24

In February, the Baltimore Orioles swung a trade with the Milwaukee Brewers for ace Corbin Burnes. Let’s look at how the trade has worked out for both teams. Back on February 1, the Orioles and Brewers made a trade that sent shockwaves through MLB. The Orioles acquired the 2021 Cy Young award winner Burnes, while just giving up two neophytes: DL Hall and Joey Ortiz. The young up-and-coming Orioles were now getting a star pitcher to headline their rotation, and the price barely made a dent in their loaded farm system. This poised the Orioles as prime World Series contenders in 2024. For the Brewers, it meant they did not want to have to pay Burnes, who is a free agent after the 2024 season. Instead, they opted for two former top 100 prospects, Hall and Ortiz, who they think can be big-time contributors to their young team.

Breaking Down the Corbin Burnes Trade

The Orioles Have Their Ace

After the Orioles’ disappointing playoff performance in 2023, it was clear a change to the rotation had to be made. In Games 2 and 3 of last year’s ALDS against the Texas Rangers, the Orioles pitching staff game up 18 runs combined. This offseason, the Orioles front office worked tirelessly for an upgrade to their pitching staff, until they got their guy: Corbin Burnes.

Burnes immediately slotted in as the number 1 guy for the Orioles, and he has been almost better than advertised. Amazingly, Burnes has not allowed more than 3 runs in any of his first 10 starts with the Orioles.

Corbin Burnes hasn’t allowed more than three runs in any of his first 10 starts as an Oriole. He has a 2.56 ERA.

Here’s his game log:

6 IP, 1 ER
5.2 IP, 2 ER
7 IP, 1 ER
5 IP, 2 ER
5.2 IP, 3 ER
6 IP, 1 ER
6 IP, 2 ER
6 IP, 3 ER
6 IP, 1 ER
6 IP, 1 ER

— Jacob Calvin Meyer (@jcalvinmeyer) May 19, 2024

Just this past Sunday, Burnes pitched six innings, striking out 11 and earning the win against the Seattle Mariners. These impressive performances had become the norm for Brewers fans, and now Orioles fans enjoy Burnes’s outstanding pitching.

Exactly what the Orioles needed, Burnes’s 2.56 ERA has him in the upper echelon of pitchers in MLB. His ERA is low, but Burnes’s fWAR is an astonishing 1.4 already, and his strikeouts per nine innings lie just below 10. The Orioles’ pitching staff has seen a ton of turmoil, as it now moves to a six-man rotation. However, the Orioles can be certain that Burnes will remain atop the rotation, putting up Cy Young-worthy numbers.

The Brewers Youth Movement

Although the Brewers decided to trade a franchise great in Corbin Burnes, they received two highly touted pieces in return and could move forward with their youth movement, fueled by an underdog mentality.

DL Hall: The Project

Despite thriving in a role as a reliever for the Orioles during the second half of the 2023 season, DL Hall came to the Brewers intending to be a starter. However, he struggled in his first four starts, posting a 7.71 ERA. Then, Hall was placed on the IL and recently began his rehab assignment. But nothing indicates Hall cannot turn it around for the Brewers. The former top prospect has plenty of tools to succeed, headlined by his great changeup. If Hall can come back from the injured list pitching well, he has real potential to become a top pitcher in baseball.

Joey Ortiz: A Star in the Making

Although almost an afterthought in the Orioles loaded minor league system, Ortiz came to the Brewers and immediately earned a shot at becoming the starting third baseman. Already, Ortiz has earned the spot and has been incredibly impressive. This season, Ortiz has posted a .925 OPS and .292 batting average. Both of these stats place him in the top tier of MLB third basemen. The biggest change for Ortiz has been to his hitting approach. Despite a high swing-and-miss percentage in the minors during the 2023 season, Ortiz has dropped that number over 10 percent in 2024. Also, Ortiz’s impressive season so far has placed him as a top candidate for National League Rookie of the Year. Hence, Ortiz has become a cornerstone for the Brewers, as he will look to continue his strong season.

The Last Word

Overall, the Corbin Burnes trade has been a success for both sides so far. The Orioles have their ace and appear to be one of the favorites to win the American League. And the Brewers have two new key pieces that can help them build towards potentially winning their first World Series.

This article first appeared on Last Word On Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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