Texas Rangers Land Ace Corbin Burnes in Blockbuster Trade with Orioles to Bolster Rotation Depth
Rangers Strike Gold with Trade for Corbin Burnes
The Texas Rangers have acquired former Cy Young Award winner Corbin Burnes from the Baltimore Orioles in a blockbuster trade aimed at stabilizing a rotation riddled with injuries and uncertainty.
The deal, finalized late Tuesday night, sends Burnes to Texas in exchange for a prospect package that includes 2024 first-round pick Sebastian Walcott, right-handed pitching prospect Jack Leiter, and minor league catcher Liam Hicks.
“This move reflects our commitment to winning now,” said Rangers GM Chris Young during a press conference at Globe Life Field. “Corbin is an elite arm, a proven ace, and exactly the kind of competitor we want leading our staff into the summer — and, we hope, into October.”
Burnes, 30, had just signed a two-year extension with Baltimore in the offseason after a brief stint in Milwaukee, but with the Orioles flush with young pitching and looking to replenish their farm system, the timing and price aligned for both clubs. Burnes will now join a Texas rotation that includes Nathan Eovaldi, Jon Gray, and Andrew Heaney — and potentially Jacob deGrom, once he returns from Tommy John surgery.
The Rangers, fresh off their first World Series title in franchise history in 2023, are clearly doubling down on their championship window.
Filling a Critical Need for Texas
The Rangers’ rotation has been under scrutiny ever since injuries piled up during the 2024 postseason. Despite re-signing Eovaldi and bringing in depth arms this offseason, the team entered 2025 with lingering concerns about consistency behind their ace-level talent. Young pitchers like Owen White and Cole Winn have shown flashes but aren’t quite ready to shoulder playoff expectations.
Burnes solves that — instantly.
“He’s got the mentality of a bulldog and the stuff of a magician,” said manager Bruce Bochy, who called Burnes “a game-changer” in the post-trade media scrum. “Anytime you can hand the ball to someone like that every five days, your whole team feels the energy.”
Burnes brings not only postseason experience but elite metrics. In 2024, he posted a 2.88 ERA, 208 strikeouts, and a WHIP of 0.97 over 195 innings, earning his fourth consecutive All-Star appearance. His cutter remains one of the most feared pitches in the game, and his competitive fire fits perfectly into a Rangers clubhouse known for its gritty edge.
The Rangers now possess one of the most complete rotations in the American League — even with deGrom on the mend. Eovaldi, Burnes, and Gray form a formidable top three, giving Bochy flexibility and depth that’s vital for a long campaign.
The move also buys Texas time and insurance in case deGrom’s return hits a setback.
The Price of an Ace & What’s Next
Of course, acquiring a pitcher of Burnes’ caliber doesn’t come cheap.
The Orioles receive a trio of high-upside prospects. Sebastian Walcott, a 19-year-old shortstop with five-tool potential, has been skyrocketing up prospect boards and is expected to anchor Baltimore’s infield by 2026. Jack Leiter, a former first-round pick, has rebounded after a rocky start to his minor league career and could see MLB innings by summer. Catcher Liam Hicks adds organizational depth and projects as a future backup or trade chip.
Orioles GM Mike Elias praised the return.
“We love Corbin and what he brought to our clubhouse,” Elias said. “But this trade reinforces our foundation and ensures we remain competitive for years to come. We believe Walcott could be a star, and Leiter has the pedigree to contribute soon.”
As for the Rangers, they may not be done. League sources say they’ve also inquired about bullpen help and could explore upgrades in the outfield before the trade deadline.
Fan reactions in Arlington were immediate and electric. Jerseys with Burnes’ name sold out online within hours, and social media buzzed with excitement.
“We just got an ace. A real ace,” said lifelong Rangers fan Travis Holloway outside Globe Life Field. “It’s championship or bust now, and I’m all in.”
With Burnes now leading the charge and a healthy core in place, the Rangers have fired a loud and clear warning to the rest of the league: the kings of 2023 are gunning for the crown again.
TRADE RECAP:
Texas Rangers Receive:
- Corbin Burnes (RHP, 4x All-Star, 2021 NL Cy Young Winner)
Baltimore Orioles Receive:
- Sebastian Walcott (SS, Rangers No. 1 prospect)
- Jack Leiter (RHP, former 1st-round pick)
- Liam Hicks (C, AA Frisco)
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