Zac Gallen Reunion Buzz Grows as Diamondbacks Eye Rotation Stability
As spring training looms just a week away, the Arizona Diamondbacks find themselves at a familiar crossroads - one that could lead them right back to a trusted arm. The buzz around a potential reunion with former ace Zac Gallen picked up steam Tuesday, thanks to a few telling words from the man himself.
Gallen, now a free agent, spent seven seasons in the desert, anchoring Arizona’s rotation and earning Cy Young finalist honors in 2023. He declined the team’s one-year qualifying offer back in November, opting to test the waters of free agency in hopes of landing a multi-year deal. But with February now underway and his name still on the market, the door to a return hasn’t just cracked open - it may be swinging wide.
The conversation took a turn when Gallen made an appearance at the WM Phoenix Open. Speaking with FOX 10 Phoenix’s Blake Niemann, Gallen didn’t shy away from the idea of coming back to where it all started.
“People have been like, ‘Hey, we’d really love for you to come back,’” Gallen said. “I think people understand what Phoenix means to me… For us to be here would be awesome.”
That’s a notable shift in tone from late last year, when Gallen was fully focused on exploring the open market. But now, as options narrow and spring training inches closer, the idea of rejoining the only MLB team that wouldn’t have to surrender draft compensation to sign him is gaining traction.
Zac Gallen on possibly re-signing with the D-backs with the start of spring training a week away:
— Blake Niemann (@Blakes_Take2) February 3, 2026
"People have been like, 'Hey, we'd really love for you to come back.' I think people understand what Phoenix means to me...For us to be here would be awesome."@FOX10Phoenix pic.twitter.com/DHyKg8G36m
From the Diamondbacks’ perspective, the timing couldn’t be better. The rotation still has question marks, and while there are other ways to patch those holes, none come with the familiarity, experience, and upside that Gallen brings. Even after a bumpy 2025, he remains a legitimate top-of-the-rotation presence - one who knows the clubhouse, the coaching staff, and what it takes to pitch in October.
Re-signing Gallen wouldn’t just be a feel-good story; it would be a strategic move. Unlike other free-agent additions, there’s no ramp-up period needed here. Gallen knows the system, and Arizona knows what it’s getting - a workhorse with postseason pedigree who can slot right back in and lead a staff that’s still rounding into form.
For Gallen, a short-term deal could be the right move at the right time. At 30, he still has plenty left in the tank, and a bounce-back season in a familiar setting could reset his market value ahead of another run at a long-term payday.
No deal is done yet, but the mutual interest is real. And as the clock ticks toward the start of camp, both sides may find that the best move is one that brings them back together - a reunion that could stabilize Arizona’s rotation and give Gallen the platform he needs to reassert himself as one of the league’s elite arms.