The Arizona Diamondbacks and ace Zac Gallen have agreed to a one-year deal for $22.05 million to return to the team. This is after Gallen rejected the Diamondbacks’ qualifying offer of roughly the same value. $14 million will be deferred into future seasons. Gallen was reportedly hunting for a multi-year deal. He is a Scott Boras client after all. This was first reported by Steve Gilbert of MLB.com.
Gallen’s Career Path
Initially a third round pick of the St. Louis Cardinals in 2016, he was traded to the Miami Marlins as apart of the package for Marcell Ozuna. Once again, he was traded. Gallen made seven starts for the Marlins before getting traded to the Diamondbacks in a one-of-one swap for Jazz Chisholm Jr.
Starting in the 2021 season, he made 20 or more starts every year. Gallen owned a 3.72 ERA during the last five years. During this span, he finished top five in the NL Cy Young voting twice, first coming in fifth in 2022. That season he led the National League in WHIP and the majors in hits per nine innings. He was third the next year, getting beat out by Blake Snell.
Unfortunately for Zac Gallen, the 2025 campaign would mark arguably his worst year as a Diamondback. He set career-worst’s in ERA, as well as hits, home runs and strikeouts per nine innings. His Baseball Savant page wasn’t particularly impressive, with the exception of his run value while throwing off-speed pitches.
This is clearly something of a “Prove-It” deal. The type of deal a struggling star gets when they’ve had a down year. If that person wants a better contract, do it with better production. Nonetheless, he’s a good old-fashioned innings eater. He’s been extremely healthy over the last five seasons, and should be able to give the Diamondbacks consistent innings in 2026.
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