The scene was quiet inside the third-base dugout at Chase Field — the kind of calm that follows a stormy offseason. Corbin Burnes, fresh off signing a $210 million deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks, sat down and, for the first time, opened up about the behind-the-scenes tension with the Baltimore Orioles. For Orioles fans, what he revealed might sting more than a fastball to the ribs.

Baltimore had tried to keep him. They didn’t lowball him and certainly didn’t hesitate. They offered a staggering four-year, $180 million contract — a deal that would’ve made Corbin Burnes the highest-paid pitcher in the game by average annual value. But somehow, they still whiffed. And Burnes, now comfortably in Arizona and surrounded by family, is still puzzled by the whole thing.

“That was kind of one of the things that we were scratching our head at — where they got the years from,” Burnes said, referring to the Orioles’ rigid four-year offer. “Not to say they wouldn’t have jumped up at the end if things got a little more serious… but they were kind of set on those years. I’m not sure why.”

Now, here’s where it gets interesting: Corbin Burnes wasn’t chasing the highest per-year paycheck. He was looking for longevity and a balanced life. His six-year deal with the D-backs came with less annual money but more total security. It also included a critical opt-out after 2026. Add in Arizona’s lower income taxes, the proximity to his home in Scottsdale, and the opportunity to see his young twins and 3-year-old son every morning. Game over.

“It’s one of those things where I get to wake up, play with my kids, help my wife, and then go pitch,” Burnes shared. “That’s not something I could do last year, flying back and forth.”

Orioles brass, according to Burnes, kept talks alive until just days before he signed in Arizona. But even as the money looked strong, Baltimore never budged on term length — a sticking point that ultimately cost them their ace. And just like that, Baltimore pivoted — signing Charlie Morton, Tomoyuki Sugano, and Kyle Gibson to patch the rotation. Solid moves, sure, but none with Burnes’ pedigree. None with that “ace-in-October” presence.

Corbin Burnes, for his part, looks back fondly on his time in Baltimore. But when it came down to years, family, and fit? Arizona felt like home — literally.

The rotation plan B if Corbin Burnes didn’t work

When Corbin Burnes slipped through their fingers, the Orioles didn’t have time to sulk—they had to pivot, fast. With spring creeping closer and pressure mounting to bolster a playoff-caliber rotation, GM Mike Elias turned to experience and depth. The club quickly signed veteran right-handers Charlie Morton and Tomoyuki Sugano, both capable arms who could steady the middle of the rotation, attempting to replace Burnes’ ace-level presence. The moves weren’t flashy, but they were calculated. Baltimore prioritized durability and leadership over headline value.

But the story didn’t end there.

With camp winding down and one rotation spot still a question mark, the Orioles made a late-camp move. They brought back Kyle Gibson on a short-term deal. It wasn’t the blockbuster Orioles fans had dreamed of, but it was a familiar face—one who knew the clubhouse, had playoff experience, and could eat innings.

In the end, the trio of Morton, Sugano, and Gibson might not have the sizzle of a Corbin Burnes-led rotation. But they represent a front office trying to patch a Plan A that fell just short. The question is: Will this patch hold through October?