Latest Corbin Burnes comments hint at future Chicago Cubs interest

With the increasing chances that the Chicago Cubs will move veteran starting pitcher Jameson Taillon at the MLB Trade Deadline and the fact that Kyle Hendricks is a free agent after this season, it would seem likely that the Cubs will be in the market for a starting pitcher this offseason.

Fortunately for the Cubs, the starting pitching market is deep this winter with a plethora of top-tier veterans set to be available in free agency. Near the top of that list is Baltimore Orioles' starting pitcher Corbin Burnes.

Given Burnes' ascension toward being one of the best pitchers in baseball during his time with the Milwaukee Brewers, the Cubs are familiar with his track record. But where the Cubs may have an advantage in Burnes' sweepstakes this winter is the relationship he has with Craig Counsell.

While speaking with FanSided's Robert Murray, Burnes opened up about Counsell and the connection they still have despite neither being a member of the Brewers' organization anymore.

“I didn’t get a chance to talk to him because I threw the middle game and both teams had show-and-goes the last day. … I shot him a text afterwards to let him know that I missed him and to keep doing well.

“Couns is obviously a guy I was pretty close with. I talked to him a lot throughout this offseason. He’s someone I’ll always be in contact with because he’s someone who gave me a chance. I became pretty close with him over the years.”

Burnes is in the middle of another excellent season, posting a 2.38 ERA through 20 starts. While the Orioles will likely have interest in re-signing Burnes, it seems that the perennial Cy Young award candidate will hit the open market.

Given the success that Justin Steele and Shota Imanaga have had this season, adding Burnes to the top of the Cubs' rotation would give one of the best top-half of a rotation in all of baseball.