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Orioles' Failed Attempt at Signing $210 Million Star Revealed

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Nate Lunak | Last updated Apr 9, 2025 11:55 AM ET

The Baltimore Orioles had a pretty busy offseason, which had multiple big free-agent signings, including left fielder Tyler O'Neill (three years, $49.5 million) and starting pitcher Charlie Morton (one-year, $15 million).

They also suffered multiple losses, though, with the biggest being starting pitcher Corbin Burnes, who wound up signing with the Arizona Diamondbacks on a very large six-year, $210 million deal, which is the fifth-largest contract for any pitcher in MLB.

However, Roch Kubatko of MASNsports is now reporting that before he ended up with the Diamondbacks, the Orioles did offer an extension to Burnes totaling $180 million over the next four years, which he passed on.

#orioles final offer to Corbin Burnes was 4 years, $180 million per a source.
— Roch Kubatko (@masnRoch) April 8, 2025

Of course, in his lone season with the Orioles, Burnes was impressive, putting together 32 starts, 194.1 innings, allowing 165 hits, 63 earned runs, 48 walks, a 2.92 ERA and had 181 strike outs.

That led him to make his fourth career All-Star appearance and finish fifth in Cy Young voting, so it's not much of a surprise as to why Baltimore was willing to make him the highest-paid player in franchise history.

However, it will remain to be seen if the Orioles dodged a bullet with Burnes, as his start in Arizona has been less than ideal, tossing 9.1 innings through two starts, allowing 11 hits, six earned runs, seven walks and a 5.79 ERA.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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