MLB analyst gives verdict on Diamondbacks rotation ft. Corbin Burnes, Zac Gallen, Merril Kelly, Eduardo Rodriguez, and more

Going under the radar, the Arizona Diamondbacks have stitched quite a good core of starting pitchers to lead their rotation for years to come. They got their hometown boy, Corbin Burnes, on a six-year, $210 million deal, this offseason to join the likes of Zac Gallen, Merril Kelly, Eduardo Rodriguez, and more in Chase Field.

Burnes has been among baseball's best pitchers in recent years; he's earned Cy Young votes in each of the last five seasons and won the award with the Milwaukee Brewers in 2021. He is coming off a 15-9 season with a 2.92 ERA for the Baltimore Orioles, who were also interested in signing him.

Former MLB player turned analyst Chris Young joined MLB Tonight on Thursday to discuss Burnes signing and how it puts the Diamondbacks on the National League map.

"Extremely surprised," Young said. "I feel like this came out of nowhere. But it was a huge win for the D-backs when you're talking about going into the NL West and being able to compete. I understand the Padres—I don’t know what direction they’re going right now.

"But the Dodgers are clearly going in one direction, even after winning the World Series, and the D-backs are saying, ‘We’re going to stay right there with you.’ As far as starting rotations go in the National League, they’re amongst the top. Corbin Burnes is one of the best pitchers in the game. To put him with Gallen and Kelly? Fine."

Chris Young suggests Diamondbacks to trade Jordan Montgomery after acquiring Corbin Burnes

After the recent acquisition of Corbin Burnes, the Diamondbacks are flush with starting pitchers at the moment. With this in mind, Chris Young believes D-backs should trade Jordan Montgomery for a position player.

"This is actually a problem right here where you have seven legitimate starting pitchers," Young said. "So, I’m saying, man, this puts the D-backs in a situation where they could probably trade a pitcher. I’m assuming it would be Jordan Montgomery and try to get something back in return because they don’t really need another starting pitcher."

Montgomery, who won the World Series with the Texas Rangers in 2023, had an awful season, posting an 8-7 record along with a 6.23 ERA across 25 starts. This follows an impressive 2023 season where he posted a 4-2 record along with a 2.79 ERA in 11 starts with the Rangers.

The question now is whether the D-backs will leverage their surplus of arms to strengthen other parts of their roster. As it stands, the Diamondbacks’ rotation is a force to be reckoned with — and a clear statement that they are here to stay in the postseason race.