Corbin Burnes, the coveted free-agent pitcher and former Cy Young Award winner, has found his new home, agreeing to a six-year, $210 million contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks. This move surprised many, as the San Francisco Giants, Burnes’s home state team, were considered the frontrunners to sign the California native. Instead, Burnes will now face the Giants as a formidable opponent within the National League West, a division already teeming with competitive teams like the reigning World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers and the consistently strong San Diego Padres.
The Diamondbacks’ acquisition of Burnes significantly bolsters their pitching rotation, adding him to an already talented group that includes Zac Gallen, Merrill Kelly, Eduardo Rodriguez, Brandon Pfaadt, and Ryne Nelson. This move signals Arizona’s intent to return to postseason contention after missing the playoffs in 2024, aiming to recapture the success they experienced in their World Series appearance in 2023. Burnes’ presence will undoubtedly elevate the Diamondbacks’ pitching staff and provide a strong foundation for their aspirations.
While Burnes’s contract didn’t reach the $245 million mark he was reportedly seeking, matching Stephen Strasburg’s deal, his $35 million average annual value (AAV) ties him for the sixth-highest AAV ever for a starting pitcher, on par with Strasburg’s. This places him in elite company alongside pitching aces like Max Scherzer, Justin Verlander, Zack Wheeler, Jacob deGrom, and Gerrit Cole, underscoring his value and the Diamondbacks’ commitment to securing a top-tier talent. The deal also includes an opt-out clause after the second year, providing Burnes with flexibility in the future.
The signing marks a significant investment for the Diamondbacks and a surprising turn in the Burnes sweepstakes. The Giants, who had a standing offer to Burnes, reportedly representing his hometown team and collegiate stomping grounds in the San Francisco Bay Area, ultimately lost out to Arizona. Burnes, originally from Bakersfield, California, seemingly prioritized a more lucrative contract and potentially a more promising competitive landscape, opting for the desert heat over a return to familiar territory.
Burnes, at 30 years old, brings a wealth of experience and proven success to the Diamondbacks. He boasts a 15-9 record with a 2.92 ERA in 32 starts for the Baltimore Orioles during the 2024 season. Prior to his stint with the Orioles, he won the National League Cy Young Award in 2021 while playing for the Milwaukee Brewers. After declining a qualifying offer from the Orioles in November 2024, Burnes entered free agency, and the Diamondbacks will now forfeit a 2025 draft pick as compensation for signing him.
Over his seven-year major league career, spanning time with both the Orioles and the Brewers (2018-2024), Burnes has accumulated an impressive 60-36 record, maintaining a 3.19 ERA across 199 games, including 138 starts. His consistent performance, combined with his Cy Young pedigree, makes him a valuable asset for the Diamondbacks as they look to build a contending team in the highly competitive NL West. His addition promises exciting matchups and intensifies the rivalry within the division.
