Orioles star Corbin Barnes hails from Bakersfield, a relatively small city in California’s Central Valley, and pitched in baseball’s smaller markets of Milwaukee and Baltimore. But he’s on the cusp of becoming the biggest pitching free agent of all time (just ahead of another big star, Max Fried), and a big market might just be a good fit for his bold personality.
One rival said Mr Burns was known as a “bulldog” and a “great guy.”
“I’m not scared,” Barnes told The Post about big cities. “The fan base in general wants to see players come and play hard and give their all for their team and their city. Whether it’s a small market, a mid-size market or a large market, you’ve got to come and compete every day.”
When he was dealt to Baltimore, everyone assumed it was a one-time deal, but new owner David Rubenstein was confirmed just a few weeks after Barnes was acquired, signaling the end of the stinginess of the Angelos era.
But nothing is likely to happen in the summer. Barnes told me that while he hasn’t completely closed the door, he “doesn’t want to talk” about it during the season.
“At this point, I think it would be a disservice to the team for me to take my focus off this year and our ultimate goal of winning the World Series.”
The Orioles know that and, according to sources, have little intention of signing him while he’s still in his prime, and while Rubenstein puts a suddenly powerhouse in a good position for the long term, the Orioles will no doubt be keen to retain some of their home-grown superstars, including Gunnar Henderson and Adley Rutschman, among others, for their talented young roster.
“I think the guys knew before they even came here that they were getting the best pitchers in the league, so we’re just going to give it our all this year for them,” Barnes said. “If this is just a one-year thing, hopefully we can win a championship, and if it grows into something bigger, that’d be great.” [But] My focus is to come to work every day and do what I can to help myself and my team.”
Barnes denied rumors that California was his preference (he currently lives in Arizona) and made public his only desire: “I want to go to a team that will compete for the rest of my contract.”
Maybe Burns actually deserves a big market after all. His confidence is justified, and it will surface when the opportunity arises. He’s been as good as ever this year (8-2, 2.14 ERA), but he’s been deliberately striking out less than he used to, a record pace for a starter. But, he says, “If I need to strike out, I know I can.”
You can’t write off the Orioles, but if he’s not a fit for New York (or Los Angeles or Chicago), I don’t know who is.
