Corbin Burnes signed with the Arizona Diamondbacks on December 30, 2024 — a fully guaranteed 6-year, $210 million deal that immediately became the largest contract in franchise history, topping the old benchmark set by Zack Greinke. At $35 million per year, it’s Arizona’s biggest bet on a single player, and a clear signal that the D-backs intend to compete deep into the decade.
The Contract at a Glance
- Team: Arizona Diamondbacks
- Signed: December 30, 2024
- Length: 6 years (2025–2030)
- Total guaranteed value: $210 million
- Average annual value: $35 million
- 2026 base salary: $30.8 million
- Signing bonus: $10 million
- No-trade clause: Yes (first two years)
How the Deal Is Built
The structure runs from 2025 through 2030, with an average annual value of $35 million. In 2026 specifically, Burnes will earn a $30.8 million base salary. The deal also includes a $10 million signing bonus and $64 million in deferred money paid out through 2036 — a common mechanism in large contracts that spreads the payroll hit over time while keeping the total guarantee intact.
The most important clause for Burnes personally: an opt-out after the 2026 season. If he performs at his usual level, he can walk back into free agency at the midpoint of the deal rather than riding it out to 2030. On top of that, a full no-trade clause protects him from being shipped out against his will during the first two years.
The Fine Print
The opt-out is the headline item — after 2026, Burnes controls his own destiny. The $64 million in deferrals stretches Arizona’s financial commitment all the way to 2036, which lightens the annual payroll load but ties up future dollars. And because the contract is 100% guaranteed, Burnes collects every dollar regardless of injury or performance — the gold standard of player protection in the majors.
Where Burnes Ranks Among the Game’s Biggest Deals
- #33 — All-time largest contracts in MLB history (by total guaranteed value)
- #9 — Among pitchers only
- #14 — Highest average annual value among active contracts in 2026
- #18 — Highest single-season salary in 2026
Rankings based on total guaranteed value, without discounting deferred money. Data: Spotrac and Baseball-Reference as of August 11, 2026.
Those numbers paint an accurate picture: Burnes is firmly in the elite tier of starting pitchers, but not quite at the very top of the pay scale. A true ace — just not the highest-paid one in the game right now.
His Contract History
- Baltimore Orioles, 2024: $15.6 million (arbitration)
Before landing in Arizona, Burnes settled his 2024 salary through arbitration with Baltimore at $15.6 million — his last deal before hitting free agency. That figure served as the launching pad for negotiations with the D-backs, who decided a rotation ace was worth a franchise-record investment.
Career Earnings
Add it all up and Burnes has earned $226 million in guaranteed money across his MLB career. That figure covers base salaries, signing bonuses, and earned bonuses — not endorsements or any income from outside the United States.
