According to the New York Post, Key man has agreed to a six-year, $210 million contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks, which includes an opt-out clause after two years.
While the Boston Red Sox were reportedly in talks with the four-time All-Star and some insiders speculated they could be a contender for Burnes, they opted to trade for Garrett Crochet and reportedly reached an agreement with Walker Buehler instead. The Sox were also involved in other trade discussions.
Burnes, who hails from the West Coast and currently resides in Scottsdale, Arizona, ultimately chose the Diamondbacks, despite the San Francisco Giants and Toronto Blue Jays being seen as the frontrunners for his services.
Both the Orioles and Blue Jays are likely disappointed, with Baltimore losing its ace and Toronto missing out on another top free agent they were heavily linked to. For Arizona, this deal strengthens its rotation as it looks to compete in the NL West.
Burnes’ reported blockbuster deal is expected to set the stage for the rest of the pitching market, with teams now looking for their backup options.