The Arizona Diamondbacks, typically fiscally cautious, took a massive financial leap, investing around $425 million in four free-agent starting pitchers over the past 5.5 years. So far, this high-stakes bet has yielded disappointing results, delivering what owner Ken Kendrick and general manager Mike Hazen hoped would be aces, but instead turned up “snake eyes.”
The combined returns from Corbin Burnes, Jordan Montgomery, Eduardo Rodríguez, and Madison Bumgarner present a grim picture: a 30-48 record, a 5.25 ERA, a minus-0.4 WAR, and two devastating Tommy John surgeries.
The latest blow came on June 1 when Corbin Burnes, signed to a colossal $210 million, six-year deal in January, abruptly left a game with right elbow pain. He’s now slated for Tommy John surgery, sidelining him potentially until 2027. This is a brutal hit for the D-backs, currently sitting at 31-34. The 30-year-old Burnes, a four-time All-Star and Cy Young winner, seemed like the safest bet on the market due to his consistency. Hazen even stated, “I might as well do another job if we’re going to be scared of bringing in a guy of this caliber.” For two months, Burnes delivered with a 3-2 record and 2.66 ERA before his injury.
This string of bad luck highlights the immense risk in handing out huge contracts to pitchers in an era of surging injuries. While teams like the Dodgers, with seemingly unlimited funds, can absorb such setbacks, the D-backs operate under tighter constraints.
The trend began in December 2019 with an $85 million, five-year deal for Madison Bumgarner. Though past his peak, he was expected to be a solid rotation piece. However, his performance never met expectations.
Following their surprise World Series run, the D-backs invested again, signing Jordan Montgomery ($25 million, one-year with a 2025 vesting option) and Eduardo Rodríguez ($80 million, four-year deal). Both seemed like smart moves at the time. Montgomery had just helped the Rangers win the World Series, and Rodríguez was coming off a stellar season.
However, neither panned out. Montgomery had a 6.23 ERA in 2024, was demoted to the bullpen, and then needed his second career Tommy John surgery this spring, ending his D-backs tenure. Rodríguez battled injuries in 2024, debuting in August with a 5.04 ERA, and has continued to struggle with injuries and ineffectiveness in 2025 with a 6.70 ERA through 10 starts.
Despite the setbacks, there’s still hope for Rodríguez and Burnes. Burnes, if he returns, still has four years left on his deal. D-backs manager Torey Lovullo remains optimistic: “We’re all with Corbin right now… He’ll be great for the Arizona Diamondbacks, I’m convinced of it.”