PHOENIX — Corbin Burnes waited out the MLB winter to find his “ideal spot” with the Arizona Diamondbacks, a decision that emerged from both familial ties and competitive aspirations. During the holiday season, Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo was on a flight back from New York when he received an unexpected message.
“The owner’s asking, ‘Where are you, can you call me wherever you are?'” Lovullo recalled with a mix of surprise and anticipation. “I’m like, ‘Oh my God.'”
Typically, Lovullo speaks with managing general partner Ken Kendrick seven to ten times a year, but a late December call signaled something significant was unfolding. Upon landing, Lovullo’s initial anxiety transformed into excitement when Kendrick shared the plan to pursue Burnes.
“We’re going to engage Corbin Burnes,” Kendrick informed Lovullo. “We’re going to see where this takes us.”
However, Burnes had his own considerations. His desire to remain close to home and his three young children, including twin daughters born last June, influenced his decision-making process. Recognizing the opportunity, Kendrick felt inspired, and the D-backs prepared to make their move.
“Once Ken gets engaged, when he makes a commitment like that, he gets super aggressive,” Lovullo noted. “I knew that there was a really good chance.”
By late December, the market had shifted, with pitchers Blake Snell and Max Fried already signing with the Dodgers and Yankees. This left Burnes as the last prominent pitcher available, a former Cy Young Award winner and consistent All-Star, drawing considerable interest.
Despite a declining strikeout rate since his Cy Young season in 2021, Burnes remained among the most effective pitchers in baseball. He ranked third in ERA, strikeouts, and innings pitched among those who threw at least 500 innings over the last three years. His performance had earned him a top-eight finish in Cy Young voting for five consecutive seasons.
While other franchises boasted larger budgets, none could match Arizona’s geographical advantage. The Diamondbacks, while not among MLB’s biggest spenders, were willing to make strategic investments. Much like their surprising acquisition of Zack Greinke nine years prior, they quietly positioned themselves to land this offseason’s pitching star.
The free-agency process extended longer than Burnes had hoped, but ultimately, he found his way to Arizona. “Just when we started to look at everything, this was the ideal spot,” he expressed.
Once negotiations commenced, they progressed rapidly. After his conversation with Kendrick, Lovullo was visiting family in Southern California when he received a flurry of text messages, including one from Buffalo Bills long snapper Reid Ferguson, who exclaimed, “Corbin Burnes?? That’s an unbelievable addition.”
Lovullo’s excitement was palpable as he quickly searched for news to confirm the buzz surrounding Burnes’ signing. Initial discussions between Burnes’ agents and the Diamondbacks involved Kendrick directly. Agent Scott Boras highlighted the potential of pairing Burnes with Zac Gallen, reminiscent of the 2001 championship team’s dynamic duo of Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling.
“We began to talk and realized there was probably a model we could make work,” Kendrick stated at Burnes’ introductory press conference.
Typically, Lovullo would be involved in such significant decisions, but the days leading up to Burnes’ signing were atypical. General manager Mike Hazen was overseas with his children, while assistant general manager Amiel Sawdaye was in Paris. Reports of Burnes’ decision surfaced late on December 27.
In just a few days, Burnes and the Diamondbacks finalized a historic contract—six years and $210 million, surpassing Greinke’s previous record of $206.5 million. Burnes has the option to opt out after the 2026 season.
“I hope it sends the message that we’re in it to win it,” Kendrick remarked.
Burnes had long discussed potential free agency with his wife, emphasizing the importance of family unity. “There’s really only one spot you can do that,” he mentioned, referring to Arizona.
However, proximity to Scottsdale was just one factor. Burnes sought a competitive team, not a long-term commitment to a losing franchise. The Diamondbacks’ unexpected playoff run in 2023 left a lasting impression on him. In their earlier encounters, he noted a transformation in the team’s competitiveness.
“Obviously when you’re going to sign a long-term deal, you want to be able to win every year you’re there,” Burnes explained. “You have to look at teams that are consistent winners and consider the family aspect, especially in the stage of life my wife and I are in.”
Burnes’ signing surprised many, especially given the Diamondbacks’ already strong rotation. However, their previous season was plagued by injuries and inconsistent performance. Their starters had a 4.79 ERA, ranking among the lowest in the league.
After securing their new ace, Lovullo reached out to Burnes to discuss the team’s future. He appreciated Burnes’ enthusiastic response: “Let’s go, are you ready to win a s*** ton of games?”
With the Los Angeles Dodgers dominating the NL West, the Diamondbacks have made the postseason only twice in the past 13 years. However, their recent success, including a sweep of the Dodgers in the 2023 NLDS, suggests that Burnes’ addition could lead to further surprises.
Burnes remarked on the significance of the opportunity, stating, “The fact that ownership recognized that and went out and got me shows they’re ready to compete. I think Torey was fired up about it, so when he called me, I echoed that. I’m excited.”
