With Spring Training games beginning in less than a week, many of the top free agents have already found homes.
One of the last big-name players remaining, Zac Gallen finally came to terms with a team Friday, reaching an agreement to re-join the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Gallen will sign a one-year deal in hopes of reaching the free-agent market again next season. According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the deal is worth $22.025 million with $14 million in deferred payments.
If that total sounds familiar, it’s the exact amount of the qualifying offer that Gallen declined to sign at the beginning of the winter.
Two years removed from an All-Star season in 2023, Gallen’s free-agent stock certainly took a hit after a down year in 2025.
Gallen posted a 13-15 record with a career-worst 4.83 ERA in 192 innings of work. Having finished top-five in Cy Young Award voting three times throughout his career, Gallen is likely betting on himself to post another strong season in hopes of signing a sizable long-term deal next winter.
As for Arizona, they’ll hope Gallen returns to form as they attempt to find their way back in to a loaded National League West division race.
Gallen marks one of many moves made this offseason by the Diamondbacks as they hope to stay in contention.
Arizona also signed Merrill Kelly to a two-year deal and veteran slugger Carlos Santana to a one-year deal. Additionally, the Diamondbacks also made a trade for 10-time Gold Glove winner Nolan Arenado.
Although the Dodgers may be tough to catch, the Diamondbacks seem to be eyeing a run at a Wild Card spot.
