Arizona Diamondbacks Place Confident Wager on Corbin Burnes' Talents
Arizona Diamondbacks Place Confident Wager on Corbin Burnes' Talents
Last night, the Arizona Diamondbacks made a significant move in the offseason, striking a deal with free agent pitcher Corbin Burnes on a six-year, $210 million contract, complete with an opt-out after 2026, as reported by Jon Heyman of the New York Post.
Burnes, known for his stellar pitching, spent his time with the Milwaukee Brewers from 2018 to 2022, where he clinched the Cy Young Award in 2021. His trade to the Baltimore Orioles in 2023 resulted in a deal that included DL Hall, Joey Ortiz, and a draft pick.
Burnes' impressive resume boasts his durability, consistency and exceptional performance on the mound. Since becoming a full-time starter in 2021, he averaged 31 starts and 189 innings annually with a 2.94 ERA. He earned All-Star recognition in all four seasons following this transition.
Burnes' average annual salary of $35 million this winter is likely to be the highest any pitcher will receive. In late November, MLB Trade Rumors ranked Burnes as the best pitcher in the free agent class and the second-best player overall, second only to Juan Soto. Max Fried and Blake Snell, two other top pitchers on the market, had already signed with the New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers, respectively.
Although large contracts incur risk, Burnes has had a commendable career to date, despite some issues cropping up. His strikeout rate has seen a steady decline since 2021, with figures of 35.6%, 30.5%, 25.5% and 23.1% in successive seasons. His drop in strikeout rate in 2024 was only slightly above the MLB average of 22.6%, compared to his performance in 2018.
Burnes' pitching relies heavily on his cutter, which he used more than 50% of the time from 2021-2023, and 45% in 2024. His use of cutters led to a decline in his performance, with a dip in generating swinging strikes. To remedy this, Burnes started using his slider and curveball more frequently in Baltimore. The Diamondbacks, however, appear unfazed by his decreasing strikeout rate and the fact that his cutter is now not as dominant as it once was.
Historically, the Diamondbacks have made a name for themselves with hefty contracts for pitchers in free agency. In 1999, they signed Randy Johnson to a four-year deal and watched as he claimed the Cy Young Award in all four seasons, ultimately leading them to victory in the 2001 World Series. Conversely, their five-year contract with Madison Bumgarner ended in disaster, resulting in his release just four years into the deal. The Diamondbacks had the financial capacity to sign Burnes, thanks in part to the conclusion of their obligations to Bumgarner following 2024.
Additionally, the Diamondbacks' rotation has undergone significant changes with the help of free agency. Apart from Burnes, the team has acquired Merrill Kelly and Eduardo Rodriguez, both through open market signings in previous years. Burnes' acquisition could potentially push Jordan Montgomery into the bullpen, after he signed with the Diamondbacks for $25 million with a $22.5 million player option for 2025.
Burnes refused the qualifying offer extended to him by the Orioles, resulting in the team receiving draft-pick compensation for his departure. The Orioles will now need to find a replacement for Burnes, either by developing talent within the organization or through external free agent signings.
The Diamondbacks narrowly missed the playoffs in the 2023 season with a 89-73 record. The addition of Burnes to their roster could help them remain competitive in the increasingly intense National League playoff race, as long as his declining cutter performance does not hinder his effectiveness on the mound.
The Arizona Diamondbacks, keen on bolstering their pitching staff, turned to the MLB free agent market and signed Corbin Burnes, formerly of the Milwaukee Brewers, to a six-year, $210 million contract. Despite a decline in Burnes' strikeout rate since 2021, the Diamondbacks are unfazed and believe his performance will not significantly impact his effectiveness on the mound. In light of Burnes' departure, the Baltimore Orioles will now need to find a suitable replacement for their former ace.