MLB Rumors: Cy Young winner could be traded in blockbuster package

Former National League Cy Young award winner Corbin Burnes has been named as a potential player to keep an eye on ahead of the trade deadline.

Every single MLB season, fans follow every rumor and report about how the team can improve at the trade deadline. Whether that’s bringing in a player to help in their postseason run, or trading a player to build out depth in the major and minor leagues. In 2023, the MLB trade deadline will take place on Aug. 1. With each passing day, we’ll get a clearer picture as to who will stay on their teams, and who will get dealt.

ESPN’s Jeff Passan released his early MLB trade deadline preview (subscription required) and discussed the Milwaukee Brewers and the potential of them moving on from Cy Young award winner Corbin Burnes.

While Passan writes that officials feel that a Burnes trade is more likely to happen this upcoming winter, he throws out the idea of the team trading Burnes and infielder Willy Adames in a blockbuster package.

"“Officials believe a Burnes deal, if it does happen, is likelier to come in the winter, but if the deadline market shrivels and starting pitching is at a premium, the Brewers have shown they are willing to make value plays even when they’re uncomfortable and unpopular. And if there’s no [Dylan] Cease-and-[Tim] Anderson or [Shane] Bieber-and-[Amed] Rosario deals to be had, a Burnes-and-Willy Adames package would be plenty tempting.”"

Could the Brewers trade away Corbin Burnes and Willy Adames in the same deal?

When it comes to the relationship between Burnes and the Brewers, it is not in a good place. That happened during his arbitration hearing this past offseason. The team won the hearing with their $10.01 million offer, while Burnes requested $10.75 million. Afterward, Burnes discussed how the relationship was damaged.

“There’s no denying that the relationship was definitely hurt from what (transpired) over the last couple weeks. There’s really no way to get around that,” Burnes said. “When some of the things that are said … they basically put me in the forefront of the reason why we didn’t make the postseason last year. That’s something that probably didn’t need to be said.”

Burnes has one more year left of arbitration, and then becomes a free agent at the end of the 2024 season. As of this writing, Burnes recorded a 3.68 ERA, a 1.194 WHIP, 59 strikeouts, and 24 walks in 63.2 innings (11 starts).

As for Adames, he is arbitration-eligible for one more year before he becomes a free agent. Through 51 games played this season, Adames recorded a .205 batting average, a .292 on-base percentage, a .384 slugging percentage, nine home runs, 23 runs scored, 27 RBI, and 38 hits.

There’s still plenty of time before the trade deadline to see what the Brewers want to do. After all, the NL Central race is a tight one. When it comes to Burnes, they do have time to trade him if they so choose to get a decent return from an interested team.