Corbin Burnes #39 of the Baltimore Orioles
The Boston Red Sox are done sitting on the sidelines. After several seasons of mediocrity, including failing to surpass 81 wins since 2022 and making the playoffs only once since 2019, the team is ready to turn the page and invest heavily this winter. Red Sox president and CEO Sam Kennedy made it clear this week that the organization’s focus is squarely on competing for an American League East title—and doing so consistently for years to come. But to get back to the top, they’ll need to make a splash in free agency, and one name that’s quickly rising to the top of their wishlist is ace Corbin Burnes.
“We are going to spend this winter. We are going to make a significant effort to improve this club,” Kennedy said. “Even if it takes us over the CBT (Competitive Balance Tax), our priority is 90 to 95 wins, and winning the American League East, and winning the division for multiple years.”
That kind of commitment signals the Red Sox’s desire to reshape their future, and a key area of focus is the starting rotation. Despite some promising performances from pitchers like Tanner Houck, Brayan Bello, and Kutter Crawford, Boston knows they need an elite, proven arm to contend with the powerhouses of the AL East. And that’s where Corbin Burnes comes in.
Burnes Could Be the Ace Boston Needs
Burnes, the 2021 NL Cy Young Award winner, has quietly established himself as one of the most dominant pitchers in baseball over the past few years. In 2024, he put up a stellar 15-9 record with a 2.92 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, and 181 strikeouts in 194.1 innings pitched, proving once again that he can handle the pressure of a full season. While he spent 2024 with the Milwaukee Brewers, he’s now hitting the open market and could very well be the solution Boston needs at the front of their rotation.
The Red Sox have already made it clear that they’re committed to improving their pitching staff. President of baseball operations Craig Breslow emphasized that every contending team needs a front-line starter who can be counted on to win big games—especially playoff games. “I think fortunately we saw a number of guys in the rotation this year take a step forward,” Breslow said. “But at the same time, we need to get better, and we need to be open to any opportunity to do that.”
It’s clear that Boston sees Burnes as that opportunity.
The Price Tag: A Huge Commitment
Landing a player of Burnes’ caliber won’t come cheap, and the Red Sox are expected to open their wallets wide. JustBaseball’s Ryan Finkelstein predicts that Burnes will land a massive eight-year, $232 million deal. That’s a significant investment, but one that could pay dividends as the Red Sox aim to fortify their pitching staff for years to come.
The signing of Burnes would send a strong message to the rest of the league: the Red Sox are all-in on returning to championship contention. It would also mark a strategic shift within the AL East, where the Boston pitching staff has long been overshadowed by dominant rotations in teams like the New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays.
Looking Ahead: A Potential Game-Changer for 2025
If the Red Sox secure Burnes, they would have an ace in the hole to lead a revamped rotation into 2025. With a durable and talented arm like Burnes anchoring the staff, Boston would finally have the kind of pitching depth needed to compete not just for a playoff spot, but for the top of the AL East.
The addition of Burnes, combined with the Red Sox’s offensive firepower and the potential for further upgrades to their roster, could make them a serious contender in 2025. While it remains to be seen whether the team can come to terms with Burnes, one thing is clear: Boston is ready to spend big to ensure they return to the elite tier of the American League.
Conclusion
After years of rebuilding and mediocrity, the Red Sox are ready to make the kind of bold moves needed to compete in the stacked AL East. Adding a front-line starter like Corbin Burnes could be the missing piece in Boston’s pursuit of another World Series title. The Red Sox are prepared to open their checkbooks, and if they land Burnes, it could mark the start of a new era of sustained success in Beantown. Keep an eye on this one—it’s a move that could reshape the AL East for years to come.
