Zac Gallen to the Cubs? Rumors Heating Up as Spring Training Nears
With spring training just around the corner, the Chicago Cubs might not be done making moves - and if the latest buzz is to be believed, Zac Gallen could be the next big name headed to Wrigleyville. After being linked to Gallen back in December, the connection is gaining steam again as the right-hander remains unsigned and the Cubs appear to be circling back.
Veteran insider Bruce Levine has been at the forefront of the Gallen-to-Chicago chatter, reporting that the Cubs have re-engaged in talks with agent Scott Boras. And Levine didn’t exactly hold back on how he views Gallen’s potential impact.
When asked who would be the best pitcher in the Cubs’ rotation once Justin Steele returns from injury, Levine didn’t name Cade Horton or Matthew Boyd - two arms with plenty of upside. Instead, he went straight to Gallen, saying he’d be the top guy in the rotation.
That’s a bold statement, but not without merit. Gallen, a former NL Cy Young finalist, has the kind of ace-level ceiling that can reshape a rotation.
Even after a down year in 2025 - where he posted a 4.83 ERA - the underlying talent is still there. The Cubs, clearly, may be betting on their ability to unlock it.
A Deal That Could Make Sense - With the Right Structure
Levine also shed some light on what a potential deal could look like. The framework being discussed?
A three-year contract with an opt-out after the first or second season. That kind of structure gives both sides some flexibility: Gallen gets a chance to re-establish his value and hit the market again if he bounces back, while the Cubs get at least a couple of years of a high-upside arm without committing to a long-term deal.
But here’s where things get tricky. Gallen turned down a qualifying offer from the Diamondbacks, which means any team signing him - including the Cubs - would have to forfeit draft pick compensation and international bonus pool money. That’s not a small price, especially for a pitcher coming off a season where his stuff took a step back.
So while the Cubs might like the upside, they also have to weigh the risk. If they bring him in and he doesn’t return to form, that’s a lot of resources down the drain. But if they believe in their pitching infrastructure - and there’s reason to think they do - then Gallen could be a worthwhile gamble.
Why Timing Matters
The longer Gallen stays on the market, the more leverage a team like the Cubs might have. They’ve been patient this offseason, and that patience could pay off if Gallen’s market continues to stall. With the rotation already featuring names like Horton, Boyd, and Jameson Taillon, adding Gallen would give the Cubs both depth and a potential frontline presence - something they’ll need with Steele recovering and several key arms set to hit free agency after 2026.
That’s why the opt-out timing matters. If Gallen returns to form and opts out after one year, the Cubs could be left scrambling. But if the opt-out kicks in after the second year, they’d have a better shot at keeping him around for 2027, when Boyd, Taillon, and Shota Imanaga are all scheduled to hit the open market.
Bottom Line
The Cubs’ interest in Zac Gallen is more than just smoke - there’s some real fire here. And while there are risks involved, the potential reward is clear: a bounce-back candidate with ace potential who could stabilize the rotation now and anchor it for the next couple of years. With spring training looming, this could be one of the more intriguing late-offseason moves to watch.
Stay tuned - things are heating up in Chicago.