BREAKING: Diamondbacks Shatter Franchise Record with Stunning Signing of Star Pitcher From Orioles
The Arizona Diamondbacks sent shockwaves through the baseball world late Friday night when the New York Post’s Jon Heyman reported that Corbin Burnes had agreed to a blockbuster free-agent deal with the team. This move is bound to make life more challenging for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Burnes and the Diamondbacks finalized a six-year, $210 million contract, which includes an opt-out after the 2027 season, allowing him to re-enter free agency after his age-31 campaign. With a $35 million average annual value (AAV), Burnes now ranks among the highest-paid starting pitchers in baseball. This deal sets a new franchise record for Arizona, eclipsing the $206.5 million contract given to Zack Greinke in 2015.
Throughout free agency, the former Brewers and Orioles ace had been linked to teams like the San Francisco Giants and Toronto Blue Jays, with reports suggesting he was seeking up to $245 million. Arizona, however, emerged as a surprise contender late in the process.
What likely tipped the scales in favor of the Diamondbacks was not just the lucrative opt-out clause but also the lifestyle benefits. Burnes resides in Scottsdale during the offseason, and with his wife recently giving birth to twins in July, the opportunity to raise his family in one place year-round became a major factor. Additionally, Arizona’s state income tax rate played a role in sweetening the deal when financial offers were comparable.
Diamondbacks set franchise record with Corbin Burnes contract
The addition of Corbin Burnes bolsters the Diamondbacks’ chances in a competitive National League West, giving them a roster capable of going toe-to-toe with rivals like the Dodgers. Arizona, fresh off a sweep of Los Angeles in the 2023 NLDS en route to a National League pennant, will look to build on that success. While the Dodgers claimed the World Series in 2024, they avoided facing the Diamondbacks in the postseason.
This offseason has been an arms race in the NL West, with the Diamondbacks, Dodgers, and Giants each securing marquee free agents on contracts worth at least $182 million. Notable moves include Willy Adames entering the division and Blake Snell shifting from San Francisco to Los Angeles. Meanwhile, the Padres remain formidable, coming off a 93-win season and pushing the Dodgers to the brink in the NLDS.
Burnes joins an already impressive Arizona rotation featuring Zac Gallen, Merrill Kelly, Eduardo Rodríguez, Brandon Pfaadt, Jordan Montgomery, and Ryne Nelson. The influx of talent means tough decisions are ahead for the Diamondbacks, with Montgomery likely on the trading block. More intriguingly, they may consider dealing an expiring contract like Gallen’s or a younger, controllable arm such as Pfaadt or Nelson.
Financially, Roster Resource estimates the Diamondbacks’ payroll at $193 million, with their Competitive Balance Tax payroll hitting $217 million, including Burnes’ yearly average. Despite lingering uncertainty about television revenue, Arizona continues to invest aggressively. They saw a significant attendance boost during their surprising 2024 World Series run and remained competitive through 2025, keeping fans engaged until the season’s end.