PHOENIX — Four-time All-Star pitcher Corbin Burnes and the Arizona Diamondbacks have finalized their six-year, $210 million contract.
The team made the announcement Monday evening, two days after the news was announced that the 2021 NL Cy Young Award winner had agreed to the terms, pending a successful medical exam. The deal includes an opt-out option for Burnes after the 2026 season.
The right-hander joins a starting rotation that includes Zac Gallen, Merrill Kelly, Brandon Pfaadt and Eduardo Rodríguez, who could be one of the best in baseball. Burnes’ deal is the richest contract in franchise history.
Burnes, 30, was perhaps the best free agent pitcher on the market after going 15-9 with a 2.92 ERA for Baltimore last season while earning a $15,637,500 salary. $. The Orioles acquired the right-hander in a February exchange after spending his first six seasons in the major leagues with the Milwaukee Brewers.
It’s not a shock that Burnes landed a big contract, but the destination was a surprise. Arizona’s payroll generally ranks in the middle of the pack among big league teams.
Arizona is spending to try to compete with the World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL West. The Diamondbacks, who narrowly missed the playoffs this year, reached the World Series in 2023 before losing to the Texas Rangers in five games.
