Diamondbacks, Corbin Burnes Facing $140M Contract Dilemma

Burnes can opt out of his current deal after this season, but his recent injury complicates the situation.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 5:06pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting a baseball pitcher's motion broken down into sharp, overlapping shapes and planes, conceptually representing the complicated contract negotiations surrounding the player's future.A cubist interpretation of a star pitcher's complex contract situation, with his future performance and value in flux.Scottsdale Today

The Arizona Diamondbacks and pitcher Corbin Burnes are facing a complicated contract situation, as Burnes' current 4-year, $140 million deal includes an opt-out clause that he can exercise after this season. However, Burnes is currently recovering from Tommy John surgery, which could impact his ability to opt out and potentially seek a larger contract elsewhere.

Why it matters

Burnes' opt-out clause gives him leverage to potentially renegotiate his contract, but his recent injury creates uncertainty around his future performance and value. The Diamondbacks must weigh the risks of Burnes opting out against the potential upside of retaining him long-term at a lower salary.

The details

Burnes' contract with the Diamondbacks has 4 years and $140 million remaining, but he can opt out of the deal after this season. If he returns from injury and pitches well, he may choose to test the free agent market in search of a more lucrative contract. However, the Diamondbacks could also benefit if Burnes decides to stay, as recent deals for pitchers like Blake Snell and Jacob deGrom have exceeded the remaining value on Burnes' current contract.

  • Burnes is currently recovering from Tommy John surgery and is expected to return at some point during the 2026 season.
  • Burnes can opt out of his contract with the Diamondbacks after the 2026 season.

The players

Corbin Burnes

A starting pitcher for the Arizona Diamondbacks who is currently recovering from Tommy John surgery and has a $140 million contract with an opt-out clause.

Arizona Diamondbacks

The MLB team that signed Corbin Burnes to a 4-year, $140 million contract, which includes an opt-out clause after the 2026 season.

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What they’re saying

“For Burnes to make this a conversation, he'll probably need to come back and shove for at least a few weeks. One or two starts in September won't do it. It's also worth considering that Burnes seemingly turned down larger offers from other clubs because he and his family live in Scottsdale. Even if he thinks there's a chance of slightly more money out there, he might be happy where he is.”

— Darragh McDonald, MLB Trade Rumors Writer

What’s next

The Diamondbacks will closely monitor Burnes' recovery and performance when he returns from injury to determine if he will opt out of his contract after the 2026 season.

The takeaway

This contract situation highlights the complexities that teams and players can face when navigating opt-out clauses, especially when a player's future performance is uncertain due to injury. The Diamondbacks must balance the risks and potential rewards as they decide how to proceed with Burnes' contract.