Diamondbacks fans should feel confident for 2027 season thanks to $210M ace

The Arizona Diamondbacks haven't been eliminated from postseason contention just yet, but their odds aren't looking too good. It'd take a huge collapse by the Philadelphia Phillies, San Diego Padres, or Chicago Cubs for the D-Backs to make the postseason.

If they miss the postseason this year, it would be hard to call this season anything other than disappointing. Corbin Carroll, Nolan Arenado, and many others have been incredible. Wasting such a season would sting.

But fortunately for Diamondbacks fans, they have something to look forward to next year. As The Athletic's Grant Brisbee highlighted, the return of Corbin Burnes is one reason D-Backs fans should believe in the team in 2027.

D-Backs have a Corbin Burnes reason to feel confident for 2027

"One reason to believe in next year: Corbin Burnes," Brisbee writes. "... Burnes will get that out of the way now and in the offseason, and when he comes back, it'll be for a team that desperately needs him, which was the plan in the first place."

Burnes is missing time due to Tommy John surgery and has been out for well over a season at this rate. But he's coming back and could be a major contributor for the Diamondbacks next season.

With a late-season return in September, Burnes is going to shake off a lot of the rust, work on his craft during the MLB offseason, and gear up for the 2027 MLB season, hopefully rejuvenated and ready for a big season.

Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly have regressed significantly, which makes Burnes' return to the rotation all the more important.

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He's already back in the fold this year, but has a 7.84 ERA across three outings. That's obviously not good, but since it's his first games back from Tommy John surgery, it's not something D-Backs fans should be overly worried about.

Burnes should be able to bounce back next season, and if he does, he could be the missing piece they need to make a more serious postseason run in 2027 compared to their 2026 try this year.

Going into 2027 with a rotation of Burnes and Eduardo Rodriguez leading the way, with others like Michael Soroko and Brandon Pfaadt in the mix, the D-Backs could put together a strong rotation for next year. 2026 was a letdown, but Burnes' return could make 2027 a season to remember.

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