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The Corbin Burnes trade has two enormous implications for the Cardinals

The Brewers part with their longtime ace Burnes in a shocking blockbuster, opening the door for the Cardinals to reclaim the NL Central

By Andrew Wang |
Milwaukee Brewers v St. Louis Cardinals
Milwaukee Brewers v St. Louis Cardinals / Dilip Vishwanat/GettyImages
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In a shocking blockbuster, the Milwaukee Brewers dealt longtime ace Corbin Burnes to the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for LHP D.L. Hall, SS Joey Ortiz, and the 34th overall pick in the 2024 draft. With Burnes the ace of the NL Central-winning Brewers last year, this move has enormous implications for the Cardinals.

The NL Central just opened up in 2024

After the Brewers added first baseman Rhys Hoskins on a two-year deal, it looked like Milwaukee was going for one last run with the current core. After all, it was always unlikely they would retain Burnes following his walk year in 2024. By adding a legitimate power bat at first base and calling up super-prospect Jackson Chourio after his extension, it looked like the Brewers' lineup would be a bit stronger than in years past. With Burnes and Freddy Peralta headlining the rotation, they were still a real threat to win the division, or at least make a playoff run.

However, without Burnes, the Brewers' rotation looks thin. Freddy Peralta headlining the staff is great, but Wade Miley, Colin Rea, Joe Ross, and the newly acquired D.L. Hall are projected to follow. While the rotation has long been a strength for the Brewers, I'd probably prefer the Cardinals' revamped rotation with proven innings eaters. While it's possible the Brewers will still try to contend in 2024, it'll be extremely difficult to do so without Burnes. We could see a sell-off of valuable pieces such as Willy Adames, Devin Williams, or even Freddy Peralta in the near future. After losing Craig Counsell, Milwaukee might be temporarily resetting for a youth movement in the coming seasons.

As of right now, it looks like the NL Central has become a three-horse race between the Cardinals, Cubs, and Reds. Still, it looks like the Cardinals' division to lose, but with the Reds emerging stars potentially taking a step forward in 2024, and the Cubs looking to add more after a disheartening offseason so far, it's still anyone's guess who will come out on top.

Dylan Cease's market just got a whole lot more interesting

After the Hoskins signing, it looked like the Brewers weren't going to move Corbin Burnes until the Trade Deadline at the earliest. Contending was still an option for them, but now it looks like they're going into reset mode. One team that will not contend in 2024, however, is the Chicago White Sox. They've been holding on to coveted ace Dylan Cease and have reportedly asked for "the sun and the moon" in exchange for one of the last trade targets being shopped.

However, this asking price has led suitors to look in other directions. The Cincinnati Reds signed Frankie Montas to fill out their rotation. The Braves went to Chris Sale, and the Dodgers traded for Tyler Glasnow. Now, the Orioles, one of the last players involved in the Cease market, have gotten their ace. Combined with rising stars in Bradish, Wells, Rodriguez, and Means, it's unlikely Baltimore will look to Dylan Cease.

There were reports that the Mariners and White Sox had engaged in trade talks for Dylan Cease, but the Mariners rotation is one of the best in baseball, and ultimately such a trade wouldn't move the needle for either team involved. The Cardinals, however, might've put themselves in a perfect spot for acquiring Cease.

St. Louis has taken care of their needs in the rotation well. Lance Lynn and Kyle Gibson will fill the missing innings, and Sonny Gray will headline the rotation. Another starting pitcher is a want, not a need. The White Sox need to move on from Cease soon, as he'll hit free agency well before their window of contention reopens, and they need to capitalize on his value by trading him this offseason.

It's looking less and less likely that the White Sox will move Cease this offseason, which will be a huge mistake, but as the list of suitors runs thin, they may need to turn to St. Louis to recoup any value for their ace. It was reported that the Cardinals were interested in Glasnow after filling their rotation, so why not Cease? Surely after so many teams have turned them down, the White Sox can't ask for Donovan or Gorman right? They may have to settle for a lesser prospect package than initially thought, and the Cardinals may just swoop in.

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