The D-backs and Zac Gallen: A Reunion in the Air, But at What Cost? As the baseball world buzzes with speculation, the possibility of pitcher Zac Gallen returning to the Arizona Diamondbacks is a hot topic. While it might seem like a long shot, especially with the D-backs aiming to dial back their payroll after a significant spending spree in 2025, Gallen himself has expressed a strong desire to come back.
"I think people understand what Phoenix means to me," Gallen shared, highlighting that his wife is from the area and he now considers it his home base. He spoke of the humbling experience of fans approaching him, wanting him to return, particularly given the team's struggles in the first half of the previous season. "It gives you chills that people still want you to come back and be a part of the organization."
But here's where it gets complicated... Gallen's 2025 season was a tale of two halves. The first 22 starts were a struggle, marked by a 5.60 ERA and a concerning trend in his strikeout and walk rates. He gave up 23 home runs in that span, more than in any previous full season, and was more susceptible to the long ball than ever before.
And this is the part most people miss... While Gallen did show improvement in the final two months with a 3.32 ERA over his last 11 starts, the underlying metrics don't paint as rosy a picture. His strikeout rate actually dipped, and his SIERA (Skill-Interactive ERA) remained virtually unchanged. The improvement, it seems, was largely due to better luck with runners on base and a decrease in home runs allowed – factors that can be quite volatile in smaller sample sizes.
Even if Gallen doesn't recapture his peak 2019-24 form (a 3.29 ERA with a 26.6% strikeout rate), he would still significantly bolster the Diamondbacks' rotation. The current projected rotation includes Merrill Kelly, Ryne Nelson, Eduardo Rodriguez, Brandon Pfaadt, and Michael Soroka, with a host of inexperienced pitchers like Yilber Diaz, Kohl Drake, Mitch Bratt, and Cristian Mena as depth. This group already has several pitchers needing to rebound, making any significant injury a potential crisis.
Here's a point that might spark debate: The D-backs' owner, Ken Kendrick, has reportedly set payroll limits, and the team is said to be at or very near that threshold. This raises questions about their willingness to commit significant funds to Gallen, especially after the ill-fated two-year deal with Jordan Montgomery in the 2023-24 offseason, which ended disastrously with Montgomery needing Tommy John surgery and the team lamenting the move. Could Kendrick be willing to take a similar gamble again?
On the other hand, Gallen is a different proposition. He's spent a significant portion of his career in Arizona, is a fan favorite, and is clearly cherished by the organization. Kendrick himself spoke highly of Gallen, calling him a "special young man" and recalling his dominant World Series performance. "He’s the guy you want to root for," Kendrick stated.
While this doesn't guarantee a deal, the longer Gallen remains unsigned as spring training approaches, the more a return to Arizona seems plausible. It's worth noting that Gallen rejected a qualifying offer from the D-backs, meaning they are the only team that wouldn't have to give up draft compensation to sign him.
Other teams, including the Orioles, Cubs, Angels, Giants, and Tigers, have shown interest. However, with many of those clubs having already addressed their rotation needs, Gallen remains a valuable asset for any team seeking pitching help. For a team that believes it can unlock his previous performance levels, the current market price could indeed be a bargain.
What do you think? Should the D-backs push their payroll limits to bring Zac Gallen back, or is the risk too high after past experiences? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
