Ranking Diamondbacks SP Zac Gallen's Top Landing Spots in MLB Free Agency
Spring training is fast approaching, yet there are still a number of quality starting pitching options available in free agency, including former Arizona Diamondbacks ace Zac Gallen.
Not far removed from back-to-back top-five finishes in NL Cy Young voting in 2022 and 2023, Gallen looked like a solid bet for a nine-figure payday once he hit the open market.
However, he struggled in a contract year in 2025, posting a 5.60 ERA through his first 22 starts. That was enough for him to stay put at the deadline while the D-backs traded away several other veterans.
He finished with a 4.83 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 175 strikeouts in 192 innings, but with 10 quality starts over the final three months of the season, he showed enough of his former self to believe he could again provide top-of-the-rotation production.
The draft pick compensation tied to signing him after he declined a qualifying offer has no doubt played a role in slowing his market, but he is capable of transforming more than a few contenders' rotations still in need of help.
Ahead, we've highlighted his most likely landing spots based on rumors, speculation and logical fit.
Dark-Horse Candidates
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The following teams did not crack our list of the top six suitors, but they are all worth keeping an eye on as Gallen's market continues to drag on and the likelihood of an unexpected landing spot increases.
Athletics
It's no secret the Athletics are in desperate need of starting pitching in support of their exciting young offensive core, with Luis Severino and Jeffrey Springs once again slated to anchor the rotation. They gave Severino a three-year, $67 million deal last offseason, and a similar investment might be enough to land Gallen at this point.
Atlanta Braves
The Braves are known to be looking for another starting pitcher, but they would have to give up the No. 26 overall pick to sign Gallen. The CBA calls for a team with their luxury tax figure and revenue sharing status to part with their second- and fifth-highest draft picks to sign a qualifying offer player, and in their case that would include the incentive pick they received for Drake Baldwin winning NL Rookie of the Year. That's likely too steep a price.
Chicago Cubs
The Cubs were frequently linked to Gallen at the trade deadline last year and at the start of the offseason, but following the addition of Edward Cabrera in a blockbuster trade with the Marlins, they could be done adding to the rotation. A healthy Justin Steele should return to bolster what already looks like a rock solid staff before the All-Star break.
Philadelphia Phillies
It's fair to wonder if the Phillies have the financial flexibility to sign Gallen, but with Aaron Nola, Taijuan Walker and Andrew Painter currently penciled into the No. 3-5 spots in the rotation, something has to be done to shore up the staff while they wait on Zack Wheeler to get healthy.
Texas Rangers
The MacKenzie Gore trade added a major piece to the Rangers rotation puzzle alongside Jacob deGrom, Nathan Eovaldi and Jack Leiter, but the final spot in their rotation is still up for grabs between Kumar Rocker, Jacob Latz and non-roster invitees Cal Quantrill and Austin Gomber, keeping the door open for another addition.
Toronto Blue Jays
It's abundantly clear the Blue Jays are all-in at this point, and even after signing Dylan Cease and Cody Ponce they have continued to be linked to other starting pitching additions. With six starters already competing for five spots in Cease, Ponce, Kevin Gausman, Shane Bieber, Trey Yesavage and José Berríos, it's not a clean fit, but never say never.
6. Detroit Tigers
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Projected Rotation
LHP Tarik Skubal
RHP Jack Flaherty
RHP Casey Mize
RHP Reese Olson
RHP Drew Anderson
The Logic
Right-hander Drew Anderson was dominant in the KBO last season, going 12-7 with a 2.25 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 245 strikeouts in 171.2 innings for the SSG Landers, but prior to taking his game overseas he had a forgettable 6.50 ERA in 19 relief appearances in the majors. Expecting him to lock down a rotation spot is risky, and the Tigers have continued to be tied to some of the market's top starters as a result.
Likelihood (5/10)
The Tigers were specifically linked to Lucas Giolito and Chris Bassitt, according to Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon of The Athletic, but there was no mention of Gallen, so this could be another situation where he is more of a fallback plan than a top target. There is also uncertainty surrounding the $13 million gap in arbitration figures for Tarik Skubal, which likely needs to be resolved in the Tigers' favor before they make another move.
5. Baltimore Orioles
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Projected Rotation
LHP Trevor Rogers
RHP Kyle Bradish
RHP Shane Baz
RHP Zach Eflin
RHP Dean Kremer
The Logic
Even after the blockbuster deal to acquire Shane Baz and the move to re-sign Zach Eflin, the Orioles have continued to search for a frontline starter to push their rotation over the top. With Pete Alonso and Taylor Ward added to the lineup and Ryan Helsley solidifying the back of the bullpen, another starting pitcher would seem to be the most likely move if they have another splash left in the tank before Opening Day.
Likelihood (6/10)
Right now, the O's still look like the most likely landing spot for Framber Valdez, and if they pivot it might be to Lucas Giolito given his strong 2025 performance. That would make Gallen the potential Plan C, and he would slot in more as the No. 3 starter than the bona fide ace they are looking for based on his recent performance.
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4. Arizona Diamondbacks
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Projected Rotation
RHP Merrill Kelly
RHP Ryne Nelson
LHP Eduardo Rodríguez
RHP Brandon Pfaadt
RHP Michael Soroka
The Logic
The D-backs have already reunited with one former rotation staple this offseason, signing Merrill Kelly to a two-year, $40 million deal. They also brought aboard Michael Soroka in free agency, but he could just as easily slot into the bullpen as a multi-inning reliever, which would strengthen the relief corps and open a spot for Gallen to rejoin the rotation. They are also the only team that wouldn't have to give up a draft pick to sign, since they are the ones that extended the qualifying offer.
Likelihood (6/10)
Looking at the Arizona roster, closer and left field both look like more pressing needs than adding Gallen back to the starting rotation. They look like prime candidates for an active February, but their focus could be elsewhere.
3. Los Angeles Angels
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Projected Rotation
LHP Yusei Kikuchi
RHP José Soriano
RHP Grayson Rodriguez
LHP Reid Detmers
RHP Alek Manoah
The Logic
The Angels were not at the top of anyone's list of landing spots for Yusei Kikuchi last offseason when they inked the left-hander to a three-year, $63 million contract, and Gallen could come at a similar cost for a team that finished 28th in the majors with a 4.91 ERA from the starting staff in 2025. There is also obvious risk in relying on Reid Detmers to make a smooth return to the rotation after a breakout season in the bullpen, and even more so in a return to form from Alek Manoah.
Likelihood (7/10)
The Angels have felt like something of a sleeping giant all offseason as a team with money to spend and holes to fill. Would Gallen prefer a one-year, $20 million deal or a three-year, $54 million deal? The Angels might be the only club that offers something resembling that second hypothetical.
2. San Francisco Giants
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Projected Rotation
RHP Logan Webb
LHP Robbie Ray
RHP Tyler Mahle
RHP Adrian Houser
RHP Landen Roupp
The Logic
Even after signing Tyler Mahle (1/$10M) and Adrian Houser (2/$22M) to shore up the rotation, the Giants still have Landen Roupp (22 GS, 3.80 ERA, 1.48 WHIP) and Hayden Birdsong (21 G, 10 GS, 4.80 ERA, 1.49 WHIP) as the leading candidates to compete for the final rotation spot. There is some low-cost upside in that duo, but if the Giants want to make any headway in the NL West race, they might be better utilized as depth.
Likelihood (8/10)
The Giants have been linked to Gallen as recently as late January by Jim Bowden of The Athletic, and it would be a great landing spot for both team and player. He would not need to be more than a quality No. 3 starter to be an upgrade for the Giants, and a pitcher-friendly park could be a nice assist in rebuilding his value.
1. San Diego Padres
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Projected Rotation
RHP Michael King
RHP Nick Pivetta
RHP Joe Musgrove
RHP Randy Vásquez
LHP JP Sears
The Logic
Despite a projected payroll north of $250 million and eyes on contending with the Dodgers in the NL West, the Padres are set to count on Joe Musgrove, Randy Vásquez and JP Sears to fill three rotation spots. Musgrove has been sidelined since Sept. 26, 2024, Vásquez has a 4.81 FIP in 269.1 career innings and JP Sears logged a 5.47 ERA in five starts after he was acquired last summer. There might be no team that needs Gallen more.
Likelihood (8/10)
With the door closed on a reunion with Luis Arraez, the Padres' sole focus for the remainder of the offseason should be on shoring up the starting rotation. They would have to give up their second-highest 2026 draft pick to sign Gallen, but that's not until No. 60 overall, and he could go a long way in helping to replace Dylan Cease with a return to form.
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