1. Baltimore Orioles
Let’s make a deal: The Orioles certainly have a deep enough farm system to make a trade of this magnitude without having to deal their very best prospects. A package consisting of corner infielder Coby Mayo, left-hander DL Hall, right-hander Chayce McDermott and outfielder Dylan Beavers would probably be close to what it would take to land Burnes. A steep price for a one-year rental, but probably worth it for a strong shot to win it all.
2. Los Angeles Dodgers
Let’s make a deal: The Dodgers’ farm system remains one of the best so finding a trade that works for Milwaukee should not be difficult. Perhaps a package featuring two of their best pitching prospects, right-handers Emmet Sheehan and Ryan Pepiot, could be the foundation of a blockbuster. Or maybe a deeper dive into their system for a package of 19-year-old standouts, righty Payton Martin and outfielder Kendall George, a 2023 first-round pick who can really hit. Or perhaps something in between such as outfielder Andy Pages and third baseman Jake Gelof, a second-rounder this year. Bottom line, there are several ways the Dodgers and Brewers could match up on a trade for Burnes.
3. Arizona Diamondbacks
Let’s make a deal: The Diamondbacks could begin to build a trade package with lefty Yu-Min Lin, their best pitching prospect, plus outfielder Jack Hurley, their third-round pick in this year’s draft, and perhaps Kristian Robinson, a speedy, athletic outfielder, a type that the Brewers seem to covet. Or Arizona could offer a power package of corner infielders featuring Deyvison De Los Santos, who hit 20 home runs in Double A this past season, and Ivan Melendez, who walloped 30 between High A and Double A in 2023.
4. Texas Rangers
Let’s make a deal: The Rangers would include Leody Taveras, 25, in the deal. Taveras hit 14 home runs, stole 14 bases, played plus-plus center field and probably should have made the American League All-Star team last season. The Rangers also could offer second baseman Justin Foscue (.394 on-base percentage last season at Triple A with 18 homers, 31 doubles and 84 RBIs), who is expendable because of the long-term deal with Marcus Semien, plus a top pitching prospect like righty Josh Stephan. The Brewers would have a difficult time saying no to that package.
5. San Francisco Giants
Let’s make a deal: For the Giants to even be in the conversation for Burnes, they’d have to start their package with lefty Carson Whisenhunt, which they’re not going to want to do. Whisenhunt, 23, posted a 2.45 ERA in 16 starts last season, with 83 strikeouts in 58 2/3 innings across three minor-league levels. A second-round pick out of East Carolina in 2022, Whisenhunt is the type of name that speeds up trade talks. Perhaps a prospect package of Whisenhunt, outfielder Jairo Pomares and infielder Diego Velasquez would get a deal done.