Mets HOFer reveals "only concern" with Corbin Burnes, Diamondbacks $210,000,000 acquisition

Free agent pitcher Corbin Burnes signed a six-year $200 million deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks on Saturday. The agreement was first reported by Jon Heyman of the New York Post, who also revealed an opt-out clause for Burnes after two years with Arizona.

This is the largest contract in the Arizona Diamondbacks' history, surpassing the six-year, $206.5 million deal with Zack Greinke in 2015. The New York Mets Hall-of-Famer Al Leiter raised his only concern with the acquisition of Corbin Burnes with the Diamondbacks.

"My concern would be if there was something wrong with him, health-wise, because that's the direct correlation with lesser velocity. What happens is you get to a place where it's about getting outs. I'm trying to win the game. But you get more outs when you can miss bats," Leiter said.

"However, if you're chasing missing bats, because that could be a thing. If I'm looking to try to win prizes on the boardwalk, I'm going to try to miss bats. When I'm in a place where I'm just trying to get outs and miss the barrel, that's OK, too," he added.

However, he still thinks that this is a great deal for both sides and commended Arizona for making such an amazing pick.

"There's a fine line between trying to strike guys out and strikeouts will come. Look, we're going to watch this. The D-backs, this is an excellent pickup, well-deserved, six-year deal. They're not concerned. And they have their analytics, and they have all of their research as well," Leiter said.

---

Dodgers analyst says that Diamondbacks adding Corbin Burnes & Giants adding Willy Adames could become a threat

The Los Angeles Dodgers are one of the strongest teams in the National League West, winning 13 of the last 17 divisional titles. However, the way this year's offseason is unfolding, things might not be too easy for them in 2025.

On the Dodgers Territory podcast, Alanna Rizzo and Clint Pasilas mentioned the things that might pose a threat to the Dodgers' 23rd division title, after the Giants acquired Willy Adames and the Diamondbacks signed a deal with pitcher Corbin Burnes.

"There's going to be a lot more competition in the National League West this year. We know all these teams have made some big moves. The Giants adding Willie Adames, the Diamondbacks adding Corbin Burnes, and the Padres remaining a pretty decent team that challenged the Dodgers pretty firmly last year.

"None of these teams are going to give the Dodgers an easy walk to October or anything like that again. Once we get to October, it's just a different ball game, but it's about getting there. That's what it's about," Pasilas said.

Burnes could prove to be a great asset for Arizona, as in four years as a starter, he has delivered a 2.94 ERA and averaged around 215 strikeouts every year.