If you thought Juan Soto’s trade to the New York Mets was surprising, here is one you didn’t see coming. Corbin Burnes, the gem of this year’s pitching market, is headed to the Arizona Diamondbacks. Burnes signed a $210 million contract for six years. It was first reported by Jon Heyman of the New York Post, “Breaking: Corbin Burnes to (Arizona) Diamondbacks, $210M, six years. opt out after two years.”

Well, the D’backs’ rise in MLB is quite visible in the last 2-3 years. But knowing their payroll history over the last 10 years, no one expected the D’backs to break the bank. But here they are. They saw an opportunity in the market and grabbed it with both hands. And that too, by defeating the SF Giants and Jays in the chase. Both the teams were in hot pursuit of the 2021 Cy Young Award winner, more so after Blake Snell and Max Fried found their new homes. But in a shocking move, the Diamondbacks swooped in big time and outbid their NL West rival, the Giants.

Corbin Burnes’ record-breaking deal with D-Backs

Despite being winter’s most coveted pitcher, Corbin Burnes signed for a deal that’s less than Max Fried’s. Max signed a $218 million deal with the New York Yankees. But it’s crucial to note that Burnes’ $210 million contract has a higher average annual value. It’s nearly $8 million more than Max Fried. Right now, Jon Heyman, Jeff Passan, and others have confirmed the signings, though it’s pending a physical.

But with this deal, the Arizona Diamondbacks made a record because it’s the franchise’s costliest hand. It even surpassed Zack Greinke’s six-year, $206.5 million contract. Interestingly; seems like the former Brewer did get top offers from the Giants and Toronto Blue Jays, as per USA Today’s Bob Nightengale. But Arizona’s better tax conditions make the D-backs offer more appealing for Burnes.

The Diamondbacks after falling off their second World Series title in 2023. And missing the playoffs altogether in 2024 clearly seems to want to rebound. The 30-year-old is joining a good rotation featuring All-Star Zac Gallen, Merrill Kelly, Brandon Pfaadt, and Eduardo Rodriguez. With this lineup, Arizona has a serious shot at NL West contention.

Is Corbin Burnes performance dipping?

For the past five years, Corbin Burnes has been stellar. He’s third in MLB in innings pitched since 2020 (816 ⅔), fourth in ERA, and second in strikeouts. In simple words, he is the type of pitcher that one can build a team around. But this wasn’t the picture just years back. He was deemed actually as one of the worst pitchers in baseball. But what a comeback story he has to tell.

Corbin Burnes’s 2019 season was a nightmare. He posted an 8.82 ERA, the worst in Milwaukee Brewers history for a pitcher with at least 40 innings. But then a change came when he used, a now iconic signature cutter. It literally transformed his career. Even after cutting down on the cutter usage last season, he has continued to shine. But now there are whispers of a decline.

Burnes is 30, and his whiff rate has dropped below 29%. He had a 35%+ earlier, and the batters are swinging and making contact in the zone more than ever against him. His velocity hasn’t dipped, but his strikeout rate isn’t what it was before. However, even if Burnes isn’t really at his peak, he is still one of the most valuable arms in MLB.

The Arizona Diamondbacks are banking on him to stay remarkable. Do you think he can remain as elite as this season, where he posted a 2.92 ERA over 194.1 innings.? Let us know in the comments!