The Baltimore Orioles are still on the hunt for another starting pitcher, but their options are narrowing-and fast. After missing out on Framber Valdez, who landed a big-money deal with Detroit, the O’s have turned their attention to the top remaining arm on the market: Zac Gallen.
The only problem? It’s starting to look like Gallen might be heading back to familiar territory in Arizona.
Let’s unpack where things stand.
Gallen, a former All-Star with a track record of durability, hit free agency with the hopes of locking down a long-term deal. He declined the Diamondbacks’ qualifying offer, betting on himself to find a more lucrative, multi-year contract.
But as the offseason has dragged on, that market hasn’t quite materialized the way he likely expected. Now, with spring training just around the corner, all signs are pointing toward a potential reunion with the D-Backs.
From a personal standpoint, the fit makes sense. Gallen has spoken openly about his connection to Phoenix-his wife is from the area, and he’s clearly comfortable with the organization. Add in the fact that Arizona still has a need in the rotation, and the stars are aligning for a return.
That said, Gallen’s 2025 campaign didn’t do him any favors on the open market. He struggled through the first half of the season and finished with a 4.83 ERA across 33 starts and 192 innings. That’s a far cry from the dominant form he’s shown in years past, and at 30 years old, some teams are understandably hesitant to commit big dollars to a pitcher coming off a career-worst season.
But here’s where it gets interesting for Baltimore.
Even if Gallen isn’t the top-of-the-rotation ace he once was, he still brings something incredibly valuable to the table: consistency. Since 2022, he’s made at least 28 starts every season. In a league where durability is increasingly rare, that kind of reliability matters-especially for a team like the Orioles, whose rotation is talented but fragile.
Guys like Trevor Rogers and Kyle Bradish have shown flashes of brilliance, but health has been a recurring issue. The O’s have depth, sure, but it’s a rotation built more on potential than proven performance. Adding someone like Gallen could help stabilize the group and give Baltimore a veteran presence who knows how to navigate a full 162-game grind.
The challenge? Arizona seems to have the inside track.
Unless Baltimore steps up with a surprising, last-minute offer that changes the equation, it’s hard to see Gallen heading anywhere else. The Orioles are still in the mix, but the clock is ticking-and right now, the momentum is leaning west.