Corbin Burnes, a four-time All-Star and one of the premier starting pitchers in Major League Baseball, has signed a lucrative six-year, $210 million contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks. This move marks Burnes' second consecutive offseason relocation, as he previously played for the Baltimore Orioles after being traded from the Milwaukee Brewers. The contract includes an opt-out clause after two years, allowing Burnes flexibility in his career decisions.
During his time with the Orioles, Burnes proved to be an invaluable asset, ranking seventh in the American League with a 3.7 FanGraphs wins above replacement. He posted an impressive 2.92 ERA and recorded 181 strikeouts over 194.1 innings across 32 starts, solidifying his reputation as a frontline starter. His performance earned him a spot in the All-Star game for the fourth consecutive year, where he pitched opposite Pittsburgh Pirates star Paul Skenes.
Despite his accolades, there are concerns regarding Burnes' declining strikeout rates over the past four seasons, dropping from a career-high of 13.3 strikeouts per nine innings in 2020 to 8.4 last season. However, his overall metrics remain strong, as he ranked in the 80th percentile or better in several key pitching categories. At just 30 years old, Burnes is expected to continue performing at a high level, making him a significant addition to the Diamondbacks' rotation, which also includes Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly, among others.
