Cubs Predicted to Land 4-Time All-Star Projected to Sign $180 Million Deal

Cubs Set to Target Corbin Burnes with Ambitious $180 Million Deal

As the Chicago Cubs look ahead to the upcoming season, they may set their sights on a major acquisition to strengthen their starting rotation.

Despite a disappointing 2024 season under new manager Craig Counsell, finishing with an 83-79 record and missing the playoffs for the fourth consecutive year,

the team is exploring options to enhance their chances for 2025. One standout candidate is free-agent pitcher Corbin Burnes, who might find his way back to Chicago to reunite with Counsell.

In a recent article by Bleacher Report’s Erik Beaston, he suggests that Burnes could indeed be headed to the Windy City.

The article highlights that the Baltimore Orioles, under the management of Mike Elias, have historically refrained from offering multi-year contracts to free agents.

With a significant ownership change, it remains unlikely that this trend will shift.

Meanwhile, Counsell is actively searching for a top-tier pitcher, and Burnes, who had his best season under Counsell in 2021, fits that bill perfectly.

Burnes has recently been projected to secure a lucrative six-year contract worth around $180 million, as noted by Spotrac.

This hefty deal reflects the immense talent and value Burnes brings to the table.

The 29-year-old has established himself as one of the premier pitchers in the league, showcasing remarkable consistency and skill over recent seasons.

In his latest stint, Burnes demonstrated his capabilities by exceeding 190 innings for the third consecutive year,

achieving a 15-9 record alongside an impressive 2.92 ERA and 181 strikeouts. His accomplishments don’t stop there;

Burnes was the 2021 National League Cy Young Award winner and has maintained an impressive 2.88 ERA over his last 816.2 innings, making him one of the most formidable pitchers since 2020.

The potential pairing of Burnes with Shōta Imanaga would create an exceptional one-two punch at the top of the Cubs’ rotation.

Imanaga had a stellar rookie season in 2024, boasting a 2.91 ERA and a 15-3 record across 173.1 innings. Additionally, Justin Steele, another key player in the rotation, posted a solid 3.07 ERA over 24 starts this past season, continuing a streak of three straight years with an ERA under 3.20. This trio could significantly alleviate pressure on the Cubs’ bullpen and the team’s fourth and fifth starters.

Considering the financial landscape, the Cubs find themselves in a favorable position to pursue Burnes. Spotrac estimates the Cubs’ adjusted payroll for 2024 was around $230 million, but their projected payroll for 2025 stands at $155 million, excluding arbitration-eligible and pre-arbitration players. There are potential opportunities for further payroll reduction, particularly with key player options that could