Orioles Star Corbin Burnes Shakes Up Offseason: Chooses Free Agency, While Boston’s Lucas Giolito Stays Put!

01/11/2024 Raymond 0

Corbin Burnes, a right-handed pitcher, had a strong first season with the Baltimore Orioles, finishing with a record of 15-9 and an impressive 2.92 ERA across 32 games. This year marked his debut with the Orioles after being traded from the Milwaukee Brewers, where he won the National League Cy Young Award in 2021. Alongside him, outfielder Anthony Santander had a productive season in 2024, hitting .235 while belting 44 home runs and driving in 102 runs.

In addition to Burnes and Santander, several other players opted for free agency, including right-hander Brooks Kriske, left-hander John Means, catcher James McCann, and outfielder Austin Slater. The Boston Red Sox announced that right-handed pitcher Lucas Giolito has exercised his player option worth $19 million for the 2025 season. This decision was anticipated following Giolito’s March surgery on his pitching elbow, which kept him from playing during his first season with the Red Sox after signing a two-year, $38.5 million contract.

Meanwhile, the Chicago White Sox decided not to exercise their 2025 option on infielder Yoan Moncada, allowing him to enter free agency. Moncada, who had previously signed a five-year, $70 million contract extension, struggled with injuries, limiting his appearances in recent seasons. In addition, the St. Louis Cardinals announced that they would not be exercising their options on right-handed pitchers Kyle Gibson, Lance Lynn, and Keynan Middleton, further reshaping their roster for the upcoming year.

2023 BRAVES PLAYER REVIEWS – SAM HILLIARD

26/12/2023 Raymond 0

Sam Hilliard, acquired by the Atlanta Braves in the 2022 off-season, made a significant early-season impact in 2023. Displaying defensive prowess and impressive offensive stats, Hilliard excelled in April with a .296/.367/.904 slash line, three home runs, and six RBIs in 19 games. Despite his contributions, he struggled to gain regular playing time under manager Brian Snitker. Hilliard’s season took a downturn after an injury on July 18, leading to a limited role and a waiver by the Braves in the offseason. The Baltimore Orioles claimed him, and Braves Country wishes Hilliard success with his new team.