Impact position players are off the market for the most part at this point, and yesterday’s top starter followed suit Framber Valdez came with the Tigers on a three-year, $115MM deal. That leaves the right hand Zac Gallen as both the last remaining eligible free agent and the best starting pitcher are still available. Gallen’s market is down a bit from the weakest season of his career, though his lifetime 3.58 ERA and 3.65 FIP over 1007 1/3 big league innings leaves no doubt that he can still make an impact on a team in need of replacement if he can get back on track. Which teams would the right-hander be the best fit for, and where will he end up? A few of the most likely options:
The Arizona Diamondbacks
For a qualified free agent on the market, sometimes coming home makes a lot of sense. The Diamondbacks are the only team in the majors that won’t give up a draft pick to bring Gallen into the fold, and that alone makes them a reasonable fit. Beyond that, the Arizona workforce needs a lot of help. Adding Gallen would be smart, given the team’s lack of rotation depth and a fifth starter (Michael Soroka) has had anxiety about fitness. His addition could push some of those starters deeper into the bullpen mix with no impact options Justin Martinez again AJ Puk both will open the season on the injured list. The biggest obstacle to a reunion between Arizona and Gallen is money; ownership has not been shy about their desire to shed a salary that has sat at $190MM over the past two years, and unless ownership makes an exception for longtime beloved D-back, the Snakes are more or less at their limit.
Baltimore Orioles
IO’s entered the season with a need to improve the rotation. They have gained Shane Baz and is also combined with Zach Eflinbut there is also no reliable front arm for rotation. So is Gallen after that shaky 2025 showing, but at his peak he’s been the type of arm Baltimore is looking for. Adding Gallen to the rotation included Trevor Rogers, Kyle BradishBaz, Eflin and Dean Kremer would be a more aggressive approach than the O’s took last winter when they signed veteran backs like Tomoyuki Sugano again Charlie Morton on one-year deals. Baltimore’s payroll is still around $20MM of last year’s Opening Day mark, so there shouldn’t be any major financial hurdles.
Chicago Cubs
The Cubs are already having a big, headline-grabbing season Alex Bregman signing and trading the Marlins righty Edward Cabrera. The Cabrera trade gave the Cubs a deep arsenal of starting pitching options Colin Rea again Javier Assad in deeper roles, and more stats to help keep them on track when rehabbing the southpaw Justin Steele returns at some point in the first half. However, the team’s starting options all have troubling injury histories. That includes Cabrera, who entered the IL briefly with an elbow issue in September. Adding a healthy bullpen like Gallen would make a lot of sense to lift the floor, and with talented arms like Steele, Cabrera, and Late Horton in the mix Gallen may be under less pressure to deliver the ace-level results he’s flashed in the past.
San Diego Padres
The Padres have been clear about their desire to add another starter, and Gallen could be the type of upside arm the team needs to replace him. Dylan Cease. It wouldn’t be the first time baseball president AJ Preller has taken a big step in the final months before Opening Day. Cease was discovered in March of 2024, when it was ready Nick Pivetta signed with San Diego last February. The biggest hurdle for Gallen to follow in their footsteps could be financial, as it’s unclear how much cap room the Padres have left. Maybe a righty and veteran detailing team Yu DarvishThe team’s departure could create the budget space needed to acquire Gallen.
Other Options
Although the quartet of clubs mentioned above are the most likely destinations for Gallen, they are not the only ones. Detroit would make sense as a suitor for Gallen, but their deal with Valdez certainly puts them out of the starting lineup market at this point. The Angels have been linked to a right-hander recently, but they are considered a long-term shot and are the most competitive team in the group. Atlanta has been known to shop for a veteran starter, but it’s unclear if the team has the motivation for the kind of $20MM+ annual salary that Gallen is thinking of seeking. The Blue Jays were linked to Valdez shortly before he signed, suggesting a willingness to continue adding to their rotation, but Gallen may not be viewed as strong enough to justify the push. Cody Ponce again Jose Berrios in the first work of the fifth. The Giants were also linked to Gallen earlier in the winter but have since signed him Adrian Houser again Tyler Mahle. President of baseball ops Buster Posey downplayed the idea of adding another starter last week, but San Francisco’s rotation has injuries and career concerns behind the ace. Logan Webb.
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