PHOENIX — The Arizona Diamondbacks pulled off one of the biggest surprises of the offseason by signing ace pitcher Corbin Burnes to a historic six-year contract worth $210 million. The agreement, first reported by MLB Network’s Jon Heyman, marks the largest contract ever awarded by the franchise, surpassing the previous record of $206.5 million held by Zack Greinke.
The Diamondbacks’ new deal for Burnes is particularly notable as it signifies the team's intent to strengthen its pitching staff after finishing 27th among MLB teams with a 4.63 ERA last season. The team’s performance was far from satisfactory, especially considering they were just one game shy of making the playoffs, all the whilst leading the major leagues with 886 runs scored. Addressing this clear need for improvement, the Diamondbacks made Burnes, the 2021 National League Cy Young Award winner, their top priority.
Burnes, who just turned 30, has had remarkable consistency over his seven seasons in Major League Baseball, compiling a career ERA of 3.19 and earning All-Star honors for four consecutive years. Last season, playing for the Baltimore Orioles, he achieved a 2.92 ERA over 32 starts, racking up 181 strikeouts and demonstrating his capability as one of the league’s premier pitchers.
Indeed, this contract not only reflects the Diamondbacks’ ambition but also showcases Burnes’ impressive resume. He has finished within the top ten of the Cy Young voting five times and was known for his deep pitching arsenal, which primarily includes cutters, curveballs, changeups, and sliders. Notably, he leads the league with excellent strikeout rates, with his slider generating a 46.3% whiff rate last season.
Despite offers from the San Francisco Giants and Toronto Blue Jays reportedly worth more than Arizona's, Burnes chose to come to the desert, potentially aided by his offseason residence in Scottsdale, Arizona. His signing positions him alongside other elite pitchers like Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly, enriching the Diamondbacks’ rotation significantly.
The team is headed by its director of player personnel, who has expressed pride over bringing Burnes onboard. “This is the kind of addition we were seeking,” he remarked. “He not only elevates our pitching rotation but also brings leadership and winning experience to our team.”
With this acquisition, the Diamondbacks now boast one of the strongest rotations within the National League, teaming Burnes with Gallen, Kelly, and other promising arms such as Jordan Montgomery and Eduardo Rodriguez. This strategic depth allows the Diamondbacks to explore potential trades, as they possess more than enough pitching talent to create roster flexibility.
While the optics surrounding Burnes’ signing may paint the picture of the Diamondbacks as contenders, this deal also includes significant incentives for Burnes. His contract reportedly features an opt-out clause after two years, affording him the opportunity to re-enter the free-agent market should he perform as expected.
The Golden Valley team’s front office is clearly optimistic as they prepare for the next MLB season. Burnes’ addition not only boosts their chances to compete effectively but also signals to fans and analysts alike their ambitions to return to the top of the NL West, including the formidable defending champs, the Los Angeles Dodgers, as well as up-and-coming talents across the league.
Baseball analysts are weighing the impact of this contract within the framework of the competitive National League West, known for producing playoffs teams season after season. With star players spread across several rosters, including talent like Shohei Ohtani and Fernando Tatis Jr., Burnes bolsters Arizona's position as they hope to build upon their last season’s near-miss for postseason contention.
This signing, part of the Diamondbacks’ offseason strategy, was carefully calculated. Analysts note, “Corbin Burnes adds not just skill but also the aura of being an elite pitcher which can greatly influence the culture and performance of the entire team.”
The excitement surrounding Burnes will inevitably build as Spring Training approaches, with fans eagerly awaiting his debut as part of the Diamondbacks’ renewed push for championship glory. Arizona's front office has positioned their marquee signing as the foundation for future success.
With Burnes under contract, the Diamondbacks now look forward to hosting their reserved spot among the elite teams of MLB and are determined to capture the NL West title soon. The pressure is on as they aim to evolve from hopeful contenders to genuine championship threats.
