Part 5/8:
Corbin Burns takes center stage next, viewed by Roberts as the best pitcher available in free agency. After a successful season with the Baltimore Orioles, Burns enters his 30s riding a solid reputation. Roberts details Burns' past successes but poses a caveat regarding his declining strikeout rate and the implications this has for his market value.
The Crossroads of Performance and Contract
Comparing Burns to fellow ace Garett Cole, Roberts highlights the similarities between the two but also notes significant discrepancies in the trajectory both players presented entering free agency. Cole's recent performance was stellar, leading him to a lucrative nine-year, $324 million deal, while Burns did not enter the market on the same high note.