Corbin Burnes’ six-year, $210MM contract with the Diamondbacks stands out as maybe probably the most stunning transfer of the 2024-25 offseason, as Arizona wasn’t considered as a first-rate contender to both spend that a lot cash, and even make a transfer for a frontline pitcher given the depth already current within the Snakes’ rotation.
As revealed at this time throughout Burnes’ introductory press convention, the idea of Burnes becoming a member of the D’Backs additionally appeared unlikely to all events concerned in the beginning of the offseason. Previous experiences steered that it was Burnes and his agent Scott Boras who reached out to the D’Backs to ignite talks in late December and a deal was reached in pretty brief order, and this model of occasions was largely supported in feedback to media (together with the Arizona Republic’s Nick Piecoro, Sports activities Illustrated’s Tom Verducci, and MLB.com’s Steve Gilbert) at this time.
Burnes and his household dwell in Scottsdale, and there was apparent attraction in taking part in so near residence, particularly after Burnes’ spouse Brooke gave delivery to twin women this previous June. Whereas Burnes had curiosity in taking part in for the Diamondbacks, there wasn’t a lot or any contact between the 2 sides till Boras contacted proprietor Ken Kendrick in December about the potential of a signing. Boras and Kendrick seemingly dealt with this preliminary set of negotiations instantly, as D’Backs GM Mike Hazen and assistant GM Amiel Sawdaye have been each out of nation on household holidays.
The consequence was the priciest contract in Diamondbacks franchise historical past, and a payroll that now sits at roughly $193.6MM, as per RosterResource’s estimates. Kendrick admitted that the D’Backs have been “stretching the price range” to make the Burnes deal work, however he pointed to such new income streams as a sponsored jersey patch, a ballpark sportsbook, and extra live shows at Chase Area, plus the extra conventional additional funds generated by elevated attendance.
“All of these issues drive the prepare, after which what will we do? Each greenback that is available in we’re going to reinvest it in ballplayers and never within the possession, and we are going to at all times try this,” Kendrick stated.
Burnes wasn’t totally off the Diamondbacks’ radar in the beginning of the offseason, as Sawdaye stated in an look on the Baseball Isn’t Boring podcast at this time that the entrance workplace had “heard by intermediaries, and different gamers” that Burnes had curiosity in taking part in near residence. Internally, Sawdaye stated “we had some dialogue and it appeared financially it wasn’t going to have the ability to work or make sense.”
Nonetheless, with Kendrick and CEO Derrick Corridor pushing issues and Burnes remaining unsigned, Sawdaye stated the entrance workplace basically requested ” ’properly, what’s the worth going to be?’ We’d be doing ourselves a disservice to a participant who desires to come back right here, and clearly we should always discover out what that’s going to value.”
As hefty as Burnes’ contract is, Boras stated there was “no query” the right-hander turned down bigger affords from different groups. Previous experiences indicated that the Blue Jays and presumably the Orioles have been keen to high Arizona’s supply, although Burnes stated at this time that he’d solely acquired concrete affords from the Jays and Giants, plus “some verbal stuff with Baltimore and Boston, however nothing I had seen in writing.”
Verducci’s piece features a longer breakdown of how Burnes’ free agent journey developed, with Toronto, Boston, and the Yankees all expressing curiosity proper in the beginning of free company. Varied discussions befell with all events over the following a number of weeks, with Corbin and Brooke Burnes prioritizing how signing with every potential suitor would affect their younger household’s day-to-day routine. The Yankees and Pink Sox appeared to fall again within the chase after the groups had respectively landed Max Fried and Garrett Crochet to handle their pitching wants, which helped clear the way in which for the D’Backs to emerge with a late bid.
