Offseason Pitching Moves: A Deep Dive into Key Additions and Bounce-Back Candidates
The offseason is always a time of excitement and strategy in MLB, with teams making crucial moves to bolster their rotations. Some franchises aimed high, signing marquee free agents to elevate their potential.
The Blue Jays snagged Dylan Cease, the Red Sox added Ranger Suarez, and the Tigers brought in Framber Valdez. Meanwhile, others focused on depth and stability, like the Padres, who secured Griffin Canning, Germán Márquez, and Walker Buehler on budget-friendly deals.
Starting pitchers may not face the same volatility as relievers, but injuries and slumps are inevitable. As we gear up for another thrilling season, let's explore three pitchers poised for a comeback: a top free agent, a seasoned veteran, and a promising minor-league signing.
Zac Gallen: The Top Free Agent
At his peak, Zac Gallen was a formidable force at the front of the rotation. Between 2022 and 2023, he boasted a stellar 3.04 ERA over 394 innings with the Diamondbacks, striking out 26.4% of batters and ranking eighth in K-BB rate among starters.
His 9.3 fWAR was sixth, even surpassing Giants ace Logan Webb. Entering 2024 at age 28, expectations were high for Gallen to maintain his prime performance.
However, 2024 saw a slight dip. A hamstring strain sidelined him for a month, yet he still managed 28 starts with a 3.65 ERA.
Notably, he improved his groundball rate to 46.2%, but his strikeout and walk rates took a hit. The decline continued in 2025, with Gallen posting a career-high 4.83 ERA over 192 innings.
Although his expected stats (4.28 xERA) hinted at better underlying performance, the numbers were a far cry from his earlier dominance.
Despite a challenging year, Gallen remained an intriguing buy-low candidate. While projections suggested a four-year, $80 million deal, he ended up re-signing with Arizona for one year at $22.025 million. The Diamondbacks are hopeful for a return to form, with Gallen aiming to refine his breaking pitches and reduce the home runs allowed-31 in 2025 alone.
Sean Manaea: The Veteran Starter
Sean Manaea's journey has been a rollercoaster. After re-signing with the Mets on a three-year, $75 million contract, he enjoyed a strong 2024 season with a 3.47 ERA.
His strikeout rate was solid, and he managed to keep the ball in the park. However, a .249 BABIP indicated some luck was involved.
The 2025 season was a stark contrast. An oblique strain and elbow issues limited Manaea to just 15 appearances with a 5.64 ERA. Curiously, despite a career-best strikeout rate of 28.5% and a career-low walk rate of 4.6%, home runs plagued him, with 13 allowed in 60 2/3 innings.
Manaea's pitch selection also shifted, with a heavy reliance on his four-seamer, which opponents hit much harder than in 2024. The challenge for Manaea in 2026 will be regaining his pre-injury form, refining his mechanics, and effectively using his pitch arsenal, including the sweeper.
Walker Buehler: The Minor-League Signing
Once a top contender for the NL Cy Young, Walker Buehler's recent years have been tumultuous. After missing 2023 due to Tommy John surgery, he returned in 2024 but struggled with a diminished strikeout rate and increased home run vulnerability. Despite a decent postseason, his 2025 season with the Red Sox was underwhelming, leading to his release.
Now with the Padres, Buehler is vying for a rotation spot. Adjusting his pitch mix could be key, particularly by focusing on his effective sinker. With strong hard-hit and exit velocity metrics, Buehler has the potential to reinvent himself as a groundball pitcher, extending his career in the majors.
As the new season approaches, these pitchers are eager to prove their resilience and skill. With refined strategies and renewed determination, they each have a chance to make a significant impact on the mound.