Dodgers named a ‘top landing spot’ for projected $288 million ace

After spending more than $1 billion to assemble a World Series favorite last winter, the Los Angeles Dodgers will always be in the conversation for baseball’s most talented and expensive free agents once again.

And, looking ahead to the coming offseason, Bleacher Report’s Zachary Rymer has listed the Dodgers as a top landing space for Baltimore Orioles ace Corbin Burnes, who is set to become a free agent after this season.

“The Dodgers were an oft-mentioned landing spot for Burnes when he was on the trade market last winter,” Rymer wrote. “That obviously didn’t pan out, but he still fits in Los Angeles in theory… If the Dodgers did back up a Brinks truck for Burnes, it would merely be the latest sign that they’re willing to spare no expense in their pursuit of dynastic success.”

The Orioles acquired Burnes in a trade with the Milwaukee Brewers ahead of the season, signing him to a one-year, $15.6 million deal to avoid arbitration. As a 29-year-old former Cy Young Award winner, he’s poised to be highly coveted as a free agent, with Rymer projecting that he’ll earn an eight-year, $288 million deal wherever he signs next. ESPN’s Jeff Passan predicted that Burnes will be the offseason’s “biggest ace attraction.”

Given the Dodgers’ ongoing payroll, though, they might be less desperate to add Burnes than some other contenders.

“Yet despite the injury issues they’ve had in their rotation this season, Burnes will be more of a luxury than a necessity for L.A. this winter,” Rymer added. “With Shohei Ohtani due to return to pitching in 2025 and Tyler Glasnow, Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Gavin Stone also under contract, it isn’t hurting for in-house options.”

More MLB: Dodgers All-Star has been 'dismal,' is 'huge X-factor' to team's success, per insider