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The contract includes an opt-out clause after the second season, giving Burns the potential to command a hefty $35 million annual average value (AAV) should he decide to remain in Arizona after 2026. Initial reports suggest that this deal stands out as straightforward, devoid of complex incentives or no-trade clauses, which is somewhat refreshing in the realm of player negotiations.
The news came as a surprise, given that teams like the San Francisco Giants, Toronto Blue Jays, Baltimore Orioles, and Boston Red Sox were all rumored to be strong competitors for Burns's services. The mystery of how Arizona kept their intentions under wraps has left many insiders scratching their heads.