NL club viewed as possible favorite to sign Burnes

MLB.com is keeping track of the latest news and rumors surrounding Corbin Burnes.

Dec. 23: Giants viewed as possible favorite to sign Burnes
In the wake of Max Fried's eight-year, $218 million deal with the Yankees, Burnes is now in a tier of his own when it comes to free-agent starting pitchers. There are multiple clubs trying to woo the frontline starter, but MLB Network insider Jon Paul Morosi said during the Dec. 16 edition of Hot Stove that the Giants are viewed as "perhaps the frontrunner" to sign Burnes.

At the close of the Winter Meetings earlier this month, MLB.com's Mark Feinsand reported that the Giants and Blue Jays were the favorites in the Burnes sweepstakes. The incumbent Orioles are also involved, per Feinsand, but the belief is San Francisco and Toronto have been the two most aggressive clubs in the bidding.

The Red Sox have been linked to Burnes, too, but they are likely out after acquiring Garrett Crochet via trade and landing Walker Buehler and Patrick Sandoval in free agency.

The right-handed ace is poised to exceed Fried's price tag; multiple industry sources told Feinsand that they think Burnes will sign for at least $245 million, matching or exceeding the guaranteed total Stephen Strasburg received at the Winter Meetings five years ago.