Former Cy Young Award winning ace Corbin Burnes lost his arbitration case against the Brewers on Wednesday. Rather than the $10.75M that he had asked the team for, he will have to settle with $10.01M in 2023.
The Brewers have won their arbitration case against Corbin Burnes, per source. He will earn $10.01M this season rather than the $10.75M he filed for.
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) February 16, 2023
In 2022, Burnes was earning $6.5M, coming off of a Cy Young year and having a stellar 2022 season, it was time for a raise in his salary. However, Burnes and the Brewers were unable to agree on a salary before the deadline so on to arbitration it went.
It was a mere $740,000 difference in what Burnes was proposing compared to the Brewers’ proposal. Many fans and observers were quite confused and scratching their heads when they saw the Brewers’ counteroffer.
Here’s how some reacted:
Welp, I’m guessing 2023 is the absolute last we see of Corbin Burnes in a Brewers uniform. Disgusting they took him to arbitration. Even more disgusting they won.
— Robin Adams (@theotherRobin19) February 16, 2023
Many voicing their opinions on what this potentially means for the future with Burnes and the Brewers:
How does Corbin Burnes lose his arbitration? Yeah, he’ll be gone as soon as he has an opportunity. Way to alienate our best pitcher.
— Dan Vachalek (@Dyhard) February 16, 2023
There is no upside to Burnes losing arbitration. It hurts now, it’ll hurt during the season, and it’ll weaken the Crew’s position at the trade deadline.
— Brewers Babes Podcast (@BrewersBabes) February 16, 2023
Corbin Burnes LOSES his arbitration. He will be paid 10.01 million this season. I have a feeling he’s not too happy with the team… pic.twitter.com/YdqqXKu6R7
— Ryan (@BrewPack8) February 16, 2023
The Brewers nickel & dime’d Corbin Burnes. If there was any chance (doubtful) that he was considering signing an extension with Milwaukee, that arbitration fiasco should take care of it, and I wouldn’t blame him.
— Dan Needles (@dneedles12) February 16, 2023
CORBIN BURNES WON A CY YOUNG AND HAS BEEN ONE OF THE BEST PITCHERS IN BASEBALL FOR THREE CONSECUTIVE YEARS AND MARK ATTANASIO CAN’T GIVE HIM AN EXTRA $700K????? https://t.co/q1QKFulB1f
— Lucas (@RealLucaso345) January 14, 2023
How does Corbin Burnes lose his arbitration? Yeah, he’ll be gone as soon as he has an opportunity. Way to alienate our best pitcher.
— Dan Vachalek (@Dyhard) February 16, 2023
Not gonna lie they may have won the case but lost Corbin Burnes in the process. So congrats? https://t.co/6aQrSpsoPG
— #TheJAKE (@JakerBrahney) February 16, 2023
Overall…
Frustrations are high and rightfully so. Burnes has been such a key player for the Brewers and their success in the last couple of years. He’s the type of pitcher that continues to wow everyone, even non-Brewers fans. He continues to set the bar higher and higher for pitchers coming into the game.
“He’s a great pitcher,” manager Craig Counsell said. “He’s incredibly focused and disciplined. We say that about players and people, but Corbin’s at another level with it, for sure. That’s always a recipe for success with guys when you combine that with the talent he has.”
We’re hoping to hear Burnes’ reaction and take on everything in the next couple of days as pitchers and catchers have reported for Spring Training.
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