Almost everyone was surprised by the Corbin Burnes trade to the Baltimore Orioles on Thursday night, and so was he. Burnes, the 2021 National League Cy Young winner, talked about the unexpected move on the “Foul Territory” show on YouTube.
He had braced for the possibility of being traded during the winter, considering it was his last season before free agency. As spring training approached and the Brewers signed Rhys Hoskins, Burnes thought he might stay in Milwaukee for another run at a division title in 2024.
However, a call from Brewers GM Matt Arnold changed everything. Burnes recounted, “I told my wife as soon as I saw the phone call that I just got traded. She said, ‘What do you mean?’ I said, ‘Watch.’” It turned out to be true, and Burnes was shocked, especially given the recent moves to bolster the team.
He called his agent, Scott Boras, who also represents Hoskins, and they were both surprised by the sudden trade. Burnes revealed that the Brewers had been considering trading him throughout the offseason, with some uncertainty along the way.
“When I talked to (Orioles GM Mike) Elias, he said that the Brewers were open to trading me (earlier), then they said, ‘Nope, we’re not trading him,’” Burnes said. “Then again, as of recently, they were open to trading me again.”
Reflecting on his time with the Brewers, Burnes expressed gratitude to the organization and fans. He acknowledged the support since his debut in 2018 and thanked them for giving him a chance, especially after a tough 2019 season. Despite the surprise, Burnes cherished his time in Milwaukee and felt honored to be part of the team’s successful stretch, even if they fell short of a championship each year.
