The Arizona rattlesnakes and former Cy Young winner Corbin Burnes They agreed to a six-year, $210 million contract that includes an opt-out after two seasons, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.
Burnes, 30, was the best pitcher of free agents available. The right-hander is coming off a strong season with the Baltimore Oriolesauthor of a 2.92 ERA and 3.55 FIP in 194.2 innings to place fifth in American League Cy Young voting.
The San Francisco Giants and Toronto Blue Jays They offered Burnes more money, but Arizona’s lower tax rates evened the monetary playing field, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today.
Family also influenced Burnes’ decision, as he and his wife wanted to stay where they currently live in Arizona after she recently gave birth to twins, according to ESPN’s Alden Gonzalez.
Burnes’ new contract is the most lucrative in franchise history, eclipsing the six-year, $206.5 million deal the club gave starting pitcher Zack Greinke during the 2015 offseason.
Despite his strikeouts per nine innings drop for the fourth straight season, Burnes remained effective in 2024.
Before last year, the four-time All-Star spent six seasons with the Milwaukee Brewers, winning the 2021 National League Cy Young Award.
Burnes has a 3.19 ERA and 3.21 FIP over his seven-year career, making 138 starts and 61 relief appearances.
He strengthens an Arizona rotation anchored by starting ace Zac Gallen, Merrill Kelly and left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez. Ryne Nelson, Brandon Pfaadt and Jordan Montgomery will likely compete for the final starting job.
The Diamondbacks failed to reach the 2024 postseason despite winning five more regular-season games than the 2023 club that won the National League pennant.
