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Orioles' Corbin Burnes trade just came back to haunt Brewers on precipice of a World Series win

With Halloween approaching, the Corbin Burnes trade is haunting the Brewers in the World Series.
ByPat Ragazzo
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Sep 26, 2024; Bronx, New York, USA; Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Corbin Burnes (39) delivers a pitch during the first inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Sep 26, 2024; Bronx, New York, USA; Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Corbin Burnes (39) delivers a pitch during the first inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images | USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect

The Baltimore Orioles made an aggressive blockbuster trade to acquire ace starter Corbin Burnes as a one-year rental from the Milwaukee Brewers ahead of the 2024 season. The deal sent Burnes to Baltimore in exchange for infielder Joey Ortiz, lefty reliever DL Hall and the No. 34 overall pick in the 2024 MLB Draft, which eventually turned into first baseman/DH Blake Burke.

Fast forward almost three years later to Tuesday night in Game 4 of the World Series, where the Burnes trade came back to haunt the Brewers. That's because Ortiz, while playing third base in extra innings, made a key throwing error. This led to a Tampa Bay Rays' rally and walk-off hit by Ben Williamson to extend the series.

The Brewers were three outs away from clinching a World Series title, but couldn't finish the job for the sweep, and now the series will go to Game 5 on Wednesday.

Joey Ortiz's late cameo in attempted Brewers World Series clinch

Despite his throwing error, Ortiz has been strong defensively for the Brewers, posting eight Outs Above Average at shortstop and seven defensive runs saved at third base in 2026. Ortiz's throwing error was unorthodox for him, but it will be remembered forever if the Brewers don't wind up winning this series. However, Milwaukee is still up a commanding 3-1 over the Rays and have ace Jacob Misiorowski on the mound tonight.

While Ortiz has been a good defensive player, he struggled offensively for the Brewers for most of the season, which led to him losing his job at shortstop to rookie Cooper Pratt. Ortiz was bumped over to third base, where he wound up catching fire offensively to end the year. Ironically, Pratt delivered the go-ahead home run in the top of the 12th inning in Game 4 before Ortiz, a late entrant in the game, squandered the win away with his errant throw.

Overall, Ortiz is just 2-for-21 (.095) with one RBI at the plate in the postseason this year. During the regular season, he slashed .270/.328/.402 with a .730 OPS, nine homers, 47 RBI and a 2.6 bWAR.

With as bad as Ortiz's postseason performance has been, the Brewers have luckily received massive production from Hall in their bullpen. The southpaw is 3-0 and hasn't allowed a run in eight innings in the playoffs this October.

The Burnes trade worked out in terms of Hall's showing on the biggest stage, but has bitten the Brewers from Ortiz's standpoint, given his offensive struggles and key error in the most important inning of the season.

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