Giants Showing Interest in Former NL West Foe Zac Gallen as Free Agency Heats Up
The San Francisco Giants are reportedly eyeing a familiar face to bolster their rotation - and it’s a name that’s given them trouble in the past. According to recent reports, the Giants have had conversations with free agent right-hander Zac Gallen, who spent the last several seasons frustrating hitters - and occasionally the Giants themselves - in an Arizona Diamondbacks uniform.
Gallen, now 30, was one of the premier arms in the National League just two seasons ago. In 2023, he earned his first All-Star nod and finished third in the NL Cy Young voting after posting a 3.47 ERA and racking up a career-high 220 strikeouts. That version of Gallen looked like a frontline ace - a pitcher capable of leading a rotation deep into October.
But 2025 told a different story.
Gallen’s ERA ballooned to 4.83 this past season. While he still made all 33 of his starts and struck out 175 batters, the consistency and command that defined his breakout year weren’t quite there.
For a pitcher entering free agency, it wasn’t the platform year he hoped for. That dip in performance could impact his market, potentially steering him toward a shorter-term contract or a multi-year deal that doesn’t quite hit the top-tier numbers he might have commanded a year ago.
Still, there’s plenty of reason to believe Gallen could be a strong addition for the Giants - and not just because of what he’s done in the past. Even in a down year, he showed flashes of the swing-and-miss stuff that made him one of the most effective starters in the league.
And when it comes to familiarity, Gallen’s had his share of success against San Francisco, posting an 8-6 record with a 3.81 ERA in his career versus the Giants. That kind of track record - combined with the upside of a potential bounce-back - makes him an intriguing target.
From the Giants’ perspective, the top priority this offseason might be upgrading the offense, but adding another reliable arm to the rotation certainly wouldn’t hurt. Injuries and inconsistency have tested their pitching depth in recent seasons, and Gallen - even in a transitional year - brings innings, experience, and proven strikeout ability. Signing him would also come with the added benefit of weakening a division rival in Arizona.
Of course, San Francisco isn’t the only team that could be in the mix. The Diamondbacks may still have interest in bringing Gallen back, and he’s also been loosely connected to the New York Yankees and Mets.
Other clubs in need of rotation help will likely come calling as well. But the Giants have already opened the dialogue, and that puts them firmly in the conversation as the market begins to take shape.
For now, Gallen remains one of the more intriguing names on the board - a former All-Star with something to prove and plenty left in the tank. And if the Giants are serious about making a push in 2026, bringing in a pitcher with Gallen’s pedigree could be a savvy move. Keep an eye on this one as the winter rolls on.