PHOENIX — The Arizona Diamondbacks have successfully reached a substantial agreement with pitcher Corbin Burnes, worth $210 million over six years, according to a source familiar with the discussions. The individual spoke on the condition of anonymity as the deal is still subject to a required physical examination.
At 30 years old, Burnes emerged as one of the most sought-after free-agent pitchers after finishing last season with a record of 15-9 and an impressive 2.92 ERA while playing for the Baltimore Orioles. Burnes earned a salary of $15,637,500 during his tenure in Baltimore, having joined the team from the Milwaukee Brewers in a trade earlier in the year.
While it was expected that Burnes would secure a notable contract, his choice to join the Diamondbacks is somewhat unexpected. The team’s payroll typically ranks in the middle range among Major League Baseball franchises, and this contract would mark the most significant in the history of the organization.
With an average annual salary of $35 million, Burnes’ contract will place him fifth among currently active pitchers with deals, following the likes of Zack Wheeler, Jacob deGrom, Blake Snell, and Gerrit Cole. His agent, Scott Boras, has secured contracts totaling over $1.6 billion for his clients this offseason.
The Diamondbacks are clearly making investments aimed at contending with the Los Angeles Dodgers, the reigning World Series champions, in the National League West. The team narrowly missed the playoffs this past season, making it to the World Series in 2023, where they fell to the Texas Rangers in a five-game series.
With the addition of Burnes, the Diamondbacks’ projected starting rotation now includes formidable names such as Zac Gallen, Merrill Kelly, Eduardo Rodriguez, and Brandon Pfaadt, positioning them as a competitive force within the league.
Burnes finished fifth in the Cy Young Award voting during his inaugural American League season and was the recipient of the prestigious award in the National League in 2021. He has consistently made at least 28 starts each season over the past four years.
Despite experiencing a challenging August, Burnes put forth an impressive performance last year, proving to be a reliable ace for Baltimore’s injury-plagued rotation. The Orioles secured a wildcard playoff spot, though they were eliminated in two consecutive games against Kansas City; Burnes was the starting pitcher in the playoff opener, delivering an outstanding eight-inning appearance while allowing just one run, albeit in a narrow 1-0 defeat.
In addition to his postseason efforts, Burnes was also chosen as the starting pitcher for the American League in the All-Star Game held in July.
In the previous season, Burnes set a new personal best with 22 quality starts. Although his strikeout rate of 8.38 per nine innings was the lowest since he transitioned to a starting role, he showcased his effectiveness with a walk rate of 2.22, his best since winning the Cy Young Award three years prior.
The news of Burnes’ deal with the Diamondbacks comes shortly after left-hander Blake Snell signed a five-year contract worth $182 million with the Dodgers in November. Comparatively, Burnes is two years younger and has demonstrated greater durability than Snell, who pitched significantly fewer innings over the past four seasons.
