Please. PLEASE. Corbin Burnes signing with the Arizona Diamondbacks is no time for Yankees guessing games, trying to figure out whether New York should’ve splurged on the flamethrowing ace or the polished left-hander — or both, if George Were Still Here Going Completely Off the Rails.
It’s the time for Yankees fans to collectively laugh at the Baltimore Orioles for trading significant assets for one year of Burnes, in which they won zero playoff games, then letting him depart to the desert. Isn’t that what we do these days? You trade for a high-profile rental to try to contend and don’t re-sign him, you’re a stupid laughing stock? Just checking.
Unlike Juan Soto, though, it never seemed like a “Please Stay, Burnes!” campaign was burbling up in Baltimore from Opening Day onward, fighting the inevitable. The Yankees seemed to think they had some sort of historic sway over Soto; the Orioles knew they’d lose out on Burnes, but just didn’t know where he’d choose.
On Saturday in the early morning hours, it became official (and kooky): Burnes, choosing between the Blue Jays and Giants, picked Arizona. He signed for six years and $210 million, opting for a bloated $35 million AAV and an opt-out after Year 2 instead of higher offers. And — oops, would you look at that, someone dropped off a chart of Burnes’ declining strikeout rate. So sorry! Surely, that was pasted in the wrong place. Anyway, while it’s here, everyone should look at it:
It’s quite likely that the Yankees, in choosing between Burnes, Blake Snell and Max Fried, never had a chance here — Burnes and his wife recently had twins, and were obviously overjoyed at the chance to stay home in Arizona (who’s betting on the opt-out receiving some attention?). He waited, hoping that something would come into focus as the Giants lost patience and the Blue Jays lost traction. He was correct to do so.
Maybe the Yankees could’ve topped their rotation with Burnes earlier in the offseason, but clearly, it would’ve taken two things they’re typically uncomfortable with. They would’ve had to bid against themselves to put up a massive early number and blow the field away, a la the Dodgers and Snell. They would’ve also had to compress the contract, rather than stretch it, raising the AAV and luxury tax burden in a six-year deal instead of an eight-year Fried offer. Is $7.75 million extra per year a lot of cash, in the larger context? It is to the Yankees, who watch every coin. It’s Jonathan Loaisiga money and then some.
In the end, the player’s preferences and the team’s dreams didn’t line up — and, again, Burnes’ strikeout rate looks like Fried’s these days. Both pitchers are only getting older, but one seems better suited to adapt and works with a more varied arsenal. No matter who ages in which manner, the Yankees always seemed destined to end up with the pitcher they chose, and Burnes always seemed destined to opt for comfort (and, again, opt out in two years).
This article was originally published on yanksgoyard.com as Corbin Burnes’ contract details in Arizona show why Yankees picked Max Fried.