Analyst reveals Zach Galen’s harsh reality of free agency
As free agents across the MLB find their new homes, starting pitcher Zac Gallen remains available. There hasn’t been as much buzz around his name as the Gallen camp would have hoped.
His 2025 performance certainly gives teams pause. Furthermore, the fact that the Arizona Diamondbacks tendered him a qualifying offer means that any team that signs him will have to forego the draft. Overall, Gallen’s the status of free agency received a murky assessment by Steve Phillips of MLB Network.
“He’s coming off a not-so-good year. He’s declined each of the last three years. I don’t know why he didn’t take a qualifying offer. Getting a one-year deal, going out there and performing makes sense. The thing is, the draft pick compensation is tied to him. He might have to take less on a one-year deal. I don’t know that he has a lot of options right now.”
What does Framber Valdez’s Detroit report mean for Zach Gallen?#MLBNHotStove | @StevePhillipsGM pic.twitter.com/HgEDpPRzDH
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) February 5, 2026
Phillips claimed that Gallen’s best bet may be a return to the Diamondbacks. However, they may not be willing to pay him as much as the qualifying offer of just over $22 million. It would be somewhat ironic to end up in the same place for less money than what was originally offered.
But regardless of where he ends up, Gallen will be playing with a chip on his shoulder. The righty struggled mightily, posting a 4.83 ERA and a 175/66 K/BB ratio. His bloated attitude seemed to scare teams a little.
Still, Gallen is a former All-Star. Over his entire seven-year MLB career, he managed a 3.58 ERA and a 1.060/324 K/BB ratio. Some team will give him a chance in the big leagues. What Gallen’s final contract will look like is still up in the air, though.
2026-02-05 20:14:00
