With spring training just around the corner, the Yankees are starting to show their cards-and the picture is becoming a lot clearer. On Wednesday, they made a major move to solidify their core, re-signing Cody Bellinger to a five-year, $162.5 million deal. It’s a commitment that brings more than just a familiar face back to the Bronx; it brings definition to their outfield and stability to the lineup.
Now, the spotlight shifts to where it matters most: the pitching staff.
Let’s be honest-offense wasn’t the Yankees’ biggest concern this offseason. Even before Bellinger re-upped, the lineup had enough firepower to compete.
But bringing him back gives the Yankees flexibility in the outfield and allows them to avoid overextending financially on position players. That, in turn, frees up resources to address the real question mark: the starting rotation.
Injuries have forced the Yankees into a corner. Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodón-arguably the two most established arms on the roster-are both expected to miss the start of the 2026 season.
That leaves Max Fried as the lone proven front-line starter available on Opening Day. Behind him?
A group of younger, largely untested arms who would be asked to carry a heavy load early. For a team with championship aspirations, that’s a risky proposition.
Which brings us to Zac Gallen.
Gallen’s free agency couldn’t come at a more pivotal time for the Yankees. He’s one of the few starters on the market who checks all the boxes: durability, experience, and the ability to handle pressure.
While his 2025 numbers-most notably a 4.83 ERA-might not jump off the page, the context tells a different story. Gallen made all 33 of his scheduled starts and logged 192 innings.
In a rotation already dealing with injuries, that kind of reliability is worth its weight in gold.
And it wasn’t just about showing up every fifth day. Gallen’s late-season turnaround was telling.
Over his final 10 starts, he posted a 2.82 ERA, showing sharper command and a rising strikeout rate. That kind of finish suggests his early-season struggles were more of a blip than a sign of decline.
Front offices pay close attention to how a pitcher finishes a season, and Gallen’s strong close has likely restored confidence in his ability to anchor a rotation.
The market conditions also play in New York’s favor. Gallen declined a qualifying offer from Arizona, and his free-agent buzz has cooled.
Between draft-pick compensation and some teams hesitating due to his 2025 ERA, the bidding war hasn’t materialized. That opens the door for a deal that could be short-term or incentive-heavy-something that fits perfectly with the Yankees’ current strategy.
They’re looking for impact without long-term handcuffs, and Gallen fits that mold.
From a roster-building standpoint, the logic is straightforward. The Bellinger deal locks in the outfield and eliminates the need to chase more bats.
That allows the front office to shift focus-and dollars-toward the rotation, where the need is glaring. It also takes pressure off the younger pitchers in the system, who might not be ready for prime-time roles just yet.
There’s another layer here that can’t be overlooked: postseason experience. Gallen was a key figure in the Diamondbacks’ 2023 World Series run, pitching in big moments under high-stakes pressure.
That kind of track record matters in New York, where October is the ultimate measuring stick. The Yankees aren’t just looking for someone who can get through the regular season-they want someone who can thrive when the lights are brightest.
Adding Gallen wouldn’t just be about filling a rotation spot-it would reshape the entire staff. It would give Cole and Rodón the time they need to recover without rushing back.
It would allow Fried to settle into a more balanced role rather than carrying the load alone. And it would shield the younger arms from being thrown into the deep end before they’re ready.
That’s the kind of domino effect that turns a good rotation into a great one.
There’s also a long-term angle to consider. Gallen has three top-10 Cy Young finishes and a career ERA under four.
He’s not a flamethrower who lives on velocity-he wins with command, sequencing, and adaptability. That kind of profile tends to age well, and it makes him a safer bet to maintain effectiveness as he enters his 30s.
Even if he doesn’t return fully to his peak form, there’s still plenty of value in what he brings.
Financially, the Yankees are in a position to make this move. The Bellinger deal helped clarify their payroll picture, and targeting a top-tier starter coming off a down year fits their recent approach-aggressive, but calculated. It’s not about chasing every shiny object on the market; it’s about identifying the right fit at the right time.
And right now, the alternatives are slim. Trade options are drying up, and internal solutions come with serious question marks.
Rolling into April with a rotation full of “maybes” is a tough sell for a team that expects to contend every year. The Yankees have already made one major move to solidify their offense.
Now they need to do the same for their pitching.
Signing Gallen would do just that. It would turn a strong offseason into a complete one.
It would provide the kind of rotational depth and experience that championship teams are built on. And it would send a clear message that the Yankees aren’t just trying to make the playoffs-they’re building to win it all.
The window is open. The moment is now. And Zac Gallen might just be the missing piece.