The MLB offseason may be winding down, but the hot stove hasn’t gone cold just yet. With spring training just around the corner, a few teams are still making late moves to bolster their rosters - some out of necessity, others out of opportunity. And while the free agent market has thinned considerably, there are still a few headlines worth unpacking.
Zac Gallen Returns to the Desert
Let’s start in Arizona, where Zac Gallen is heading back to the Diamondbacks on a one-year, $22 million deal. It’s a reunion that makes sense for both sides, even if the path here wasn’t exactly smooth.
Gallen had declined his qualifying offer earlier in the offseason, likely hoping to land a longer-term deal on the open market. But after a tough 2025 campaign - one that saw him post a 4.83 ERA and a 13-15 record - the multi-year offers didn’t materialize. Instead, he circles back to the D-backs on a prove-it deal, with Arizona recouping some value in the form of draft compensation had he signed elsewhere.
For Gallen, this is a chance to reset. At his best, he’s a top-of-the-rotation arm with elite command and a deep arsenal.
But last season, he struggled with consistency and didn’t look like the same pitcher who once anchored Arizona’s staff. If he can bounce back in 2026, he’ll be right back in the conversation for a bigger payday next winter - and the D-backs, who are still building around a young core, will gladly ride that upside.
Brewers Add Versatile Infielder Luis Rengifo
Up in Milwaukee, the Brewers made a move of their own, signing infielder Luis Rengifo to a one-year, $3.5 million deal. The contract includes an additional $1.5 million in performance incentives and a $10 million mutual option for 2027.
Rengifo, who spent last season with the Angels, brings a valuable mix of defensive versatility and switch-hitting ability. He’s logged innings at second, short, and third base, and he’s even seen time in the outfield. That kind of flexibility is gold for a Brewers team that just traded away Freddy Peralta and may be retooling on the fly.
While the Peralta trade raised some eyebrows, especially among fans who saw him as a key piece of the rotation, the addition of Rengifo gives Milwaukee options. He’s not a star, but he’s a solid contributor who can fill in across the diamond and hold his own at the plate. For a team that values depth and matchups, Rengifo could end up being a sneaky-good pickup.
Cubs Eyeing Shelby Miller Despite Injury Concerns
Meanwhile, the Chicago Cubs are reportedly closing in on a multi-year deal with veteran reliever Shelby Miller. There’s a catch, though - Miller is expected to miss the entire 2026 season due to injury, with a possible return not coming until 2027.
It’s a forward-thinking move by the Cubs, who are clearly betting on Miller’s long-term value rather than immediate impact. When healthy, Miller has shown flashes of being a high-leverage arm, and the Cubs are no strangers to stashing talent with an eye on future upside.
This type of deal isn’t unprecedented - teams have occasionally taken a flyer on injured pitchers with the hope of getting a healthy, effective version down the road. If Miller can return to form in 2027, Chicago could end up with a valuable bullpen piece on a team-friendly deal.
Final Thoughts
These moves may not steal the headlines like blockbuster trades or nine-figure contracts, but they matter. Gallen’s return gives Arizona a shot at stability atop the rotation.
Rengifo offers Milwaukee a plug-and-play option across the infield. And the Cubs are playing the long game with Miller.
With spring training looming, these final roster tweaks could be the difference between staying competitive and falling behind. Keep an eye on these names - they might just shape the season in ways we don’t see coming yet.