PHOENIX — The Arizona Diamondbacks unveiled their newest star, right-handed pitcher Corbin Burnes, on Wednesday. Burnes, who signed a reported six-year, $210 million contract with the D-backs in December, is ecstatic for this new chapter in his career.
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“When we heard this opportunity was coming, we got really excited,” Burnes said at his introductory press conference. “It’s always something you dream about. Like, ‘Oh, what happens if the Diamondbacks call?’ We had to take it. We were lucky they were interested. From talking to [agent] Scott [Boras], it seemed to come together quickly. It just showed how much they wanted us here and how much we wanted to be a part of the D-backs.”
The 30-year-old Burnes made a name for himself with the Milwaukee Brewers, with a 45-27 record, a 3.26 ERA, and 870 strikeouts in 167 games over six seasons. Don’t forget that he’s a three-time MLB All-Star (2021-23) and the 2021 Cy Young winner.
Last season, after being traded to the Baltimore Orioles, the Bakersfield, CA native continued his dominance in the American League with a 2.92 ERA and a 15-9 record in 32 starts. It’s no surprise that he ended up fifth in Cy Young voting this past year.
Already familiar with Arizona from his offseason living arrangements, Burnes said the decision to join the Diamondbacks was also driven by the team’s competitive spirit.
“When I realized in 2023 that this team was special, this is a team that is built to win baseball games and win in the postseason,” Burnes said. “They showed that in 2023. Obviously had another great year last year, and got beat out by the tie-breaker deal for the postseason. This is a really good baseball team, a young baseball team, so it’s got many years of winning ahead of them.
Burnes emphasized the importance of joining a winning organization, stating, “That was part of the reason for looking at the Diamondbacks and other teams is that I want come in and I want to win. I want to win the entire time I am here and this is a team that is built to do that… We’re going to continue to build and win baseball games. That’s part of the plan and that was part of the reason why I came here as well as the family aspect, this is a good baseball team.”
Burnes will be added to an already-talented starting rotation consisting of Zac Gallen, Merrill Kelly, Eduardo Rodriguez, Brandon Pfaadt, Ryne Nelson and Jordan Montgomery. With five pitchers in a rotation, things will get interesting when the coaching staff decides will move to the bullpen.
The Diamondbacks, who finished 89-73 last season, just missed the playoffs. Burnes hopes to elevate the team back to postseason contention and compete for a World Series title.
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Reporter Alec Cipollini covers the Phoenix Suns, Arizona Diamondbacks, ASU Athletics and more for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @AlecCipollini
