Zac Gallen is still on the board, and with spring training fast approaching, the 30-year-old right-hander remains the top name among unsigned starting pitchers. While his 2025 campaign didn’t exactly bolster his stock-posting a 13-15 record with a 4.83 ERA and the lowest strikeout rate of his career-Gallen’s track record and durability continue to make him a compelling option for teams looking to shore up their rotation.
According to reports, there’s no shortage of interest. The San Diego Padres, Baltimore Orioles, Chicago Cubs, and Arizona Diamondbacks-his former team-are all reportedly in the mix. That’s four clubs with postseason aspirations and a shared need: a reliable, experienced arm who can eat innings and potentially anchor the middle of a rotation.
Gallen’s résumé still holds weight. Over seven seasons in Arizona, he racked up 19.1 bWAR and threw over 855 innings across 149 starts in the last five years.
That kind of workload speaks volumes in today’s game, where durability is as prized as velocity. Even in a down year, he made 33 starts and logged 192 innings-tied for eighth-most in the majors.
That’s the kind of consistency that keeps front offices interested, even if the ERA and strikeout numbers took a dip.
But not every team is ready to make a move just yet. While the Padres have been linked to Gallen, recent reports out of San Diego suggest the club may be taking a more patient approach. They're expected to add a starter, as they’ve done in recent springs, but it might not be someone of Gallen’s caliber-at least not unless his price tag drops.
That’s the balancing act right now: Gallen’s market value versus his recent performance. He’s a former All-Star with three top-10 Cy Young finishes, a deep six-pitch arsenal, and a reputation for being a workhorse. But last season’s numbers-especially the 1.26 WHIP and diminished strikeout rate-have cooled the frenzy that might’ve otherwise surrounded a pitcher of his pedigree.
Still, for teams like Baltimore or Chicago, who are looking to take the next step and need a veteran presence in the rotation, Gallen could be the kind of buy-low candidate who pays off big. And don’t count out Arizona either. A reunion with the Diamondbacks would make sense on paper, especially if both sides are comfortable with a short-term deal that gives Gallen a chance to reestablish his value.
With spring training around the corner, the clock is ticking. Gallen isn’t the ace of the market anymore, but he’s still one of the most intriguing arms available-and for a team willing to bet on a bounce-back, he could end up being one of the offseason’s smarter signings.