Why Corbin Burnes Took Less Money to Play for Diamondbacks, How Josh Naylor Will Fit in Arizona

Jack Vita Show: Sports | MLB | Baseball | NFL | College Football | NCAA Basketball | NBA | Faith

Last week, the Arizona Diamondbacks made the definitive most shocking move of the offseason, signing 2021 National League Cy Young Award winner Corbin Burnes to a six-year, $210 million contract. Days earlier, the Diamondbacks traded for first baseman Josh Naylor, from the Cleveland Guardians. Arizona Diamondbacks on SI publisher and Diamondbacks beat reporter Jack Sommers visits the Jack Vita Show to break it all down!

Jack Sommers has the inside scoop on how the Burnes' signing — which seemingly no one saw coming — came to fruition. Burnes reportedly passed on more lucrative offers from the San Francisco Giants and Toronto Blue Jays, preferring instead to play in Arizona, where he lives in the offseason with his family. The contract also includes deferrals; Jack Sommers explains how the deferrals work.

Earlier in the week, the Diamondbacks filled a gaping hole at first base, acquiring All-Star Josh Naylor in exchange for right-handed pitching prospect Slade Cecconi and a Competitive Balance Round B Draft pick. Naylor will replace three-time Gold Glove Award winner Christian Walker, who signed a three-year, $60 million deal with the Houston Astros. Former Diamondbacks great Paul Goldschmidt had been linked to the team as a possible replacement for Walker, but instead signed a one-year, $12.5 million contract with the New York Yankees. Jack and Jack share their thoughts on game of musical chairs being played among first baseman! What do they think of the Naylor trade, and the landing spots for Walker and Goldy?

Finally, Jack and Jack share some thoughts on miraculous 2024 Arizona State Sun Devils football season, which resulted in a thrilling, double-overtime loss in the Peach Bowl on New Years Day. This episode was taped a day before the Bowl Game; Jack and Jack reflect on a monumental season for the program that nobody saw coming. Was this the most stunning season for an Arizona sports team in the state's history?

Unfortunately, we encountered some technical difficulties when recording this episode, thus, our audio isn't up to the high standards set for the Jack Vita Show. We apologize, and expect to do MUCH better next time!

You can follow Jack on Twitter, @shoewizard59, and check out his work at Diamondbacks on SI!