Report: Blue Jays held in-person meeting with Burnes

The Toronto Blue Jays held an in-person meeting with star right-hander Corbin Burnes, MLB Network's Jon Morosi reports.

Burnes is one of the premier starting pitchers on the free-agent market. The 30-year-old spent the 2024 campaign with the Baltimore Orioles, posting a 15-9 record with a 2.92 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, and 181 strikeouts across 194 1/3 innings.

The Blue Jays are reportedly among a group of teams in the running for star outfielder Juan Soto but have also been keeping tabs on the pitching market. Toronto has also reportedly checked in on free-agent left-hander Max Fried.

The Blue Jays are currently projected to enter the 2025 season with a starting rotation that includes Kevin Gausman, José Berríos, Chris Bassitt, Bowden Francis, and Yariel Rodríguez.

Bassitt is scheduled to become a free agent at the end of 2025, while Gausman's contract expires following the 2026 campaign. Berríos can also opt out of the final two years of his seven-year deal at the conclusion of the 2026 season.