The biggest starting pitcher on the MLB free agent market has found a new home, and it is being reported that right-hander Corbin Burnes has signed a massive six-year contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks. This is going to make the NL West even more competitive with the likes of the Los Angeles Dodgers, San Francisco Giants and the San Diego Padres also fighting for the division crown. Let’s take a deeper dive into the Corbin Burnes contract and discuss what this means going forward.
Corbin Burnes Signs with the Arizona Diamondbacks
The Arizona Diamondbacks continue to look to make improvements to their roster as they signed hometown kid Corbin Burnes to a massive six-year, $210 million contract, which was first reported by Jon Heyman. This deal does a lot as the Arizona Diamondbacks have a legitimate ace in their rotation and security as three of their projected starting pitchers are free agents after the 2025 season. With this move, the six projected starting pitchers on their roster are:
- Corbin Burnes
- Zac Gallen
- Merrill Kelly
- Eduardo Rodriguez
- Brandon Pfaadt
- Jordan Montgomery
Corbin Burnes reportedly turned down more money by both the San Francisco Giants and Toronto Blue Jays, but the tax implications seemed to be a determining factor. The former Cy Young Award winner had a great year with the Baltimore Orioles last season, which he was traded to ahead of the season, as he made 32 starts and went 15-9 with a 2.92 ERA and a 1.096 WHIP in 194.1 innings. Burnes is now going to be pitching in one of the more hitter-friendly parks in the sport in Chase Field, so his numbers are going to be tougher but he has shown the ability to dominate as his slider had a 46.3 whiff percentage in 2024. In his career, he has made two starts at Chase Field and is 1-0 with a 3.29 ERA in 13.2 innings.
This deal is the largest contract in team history, surpassing the six-year, $206.5 million deal to Zack Greinke in 2015. Corbin Burnes and trading for first baseman Josh Naylor is not a bad headliner for the offseason but they need some more consistency as a playoff spot in the National League is certainly not guaranteed. It will be interesting if this move means the Arizona Diamondbacks have a deal worked out in principle for Jordan Montgomery to be dealt, which has been rumored this offseason, to help get another player on the roster to help out.
Burnes is a bonafide ace and it will be interesting to see how he does as a member of the Arizona Diamondbacks and pitching in the loaded offensive division of the NL West.
