The Atlanta Braves have brought back their closer, Raisel Iglesias, who has been one of the best ninth-inning arms in the game. With 253 saves and getting up there in age, it came as a bit of a surprise that they re-signed him for the amount that they did.
Still, this shows that the Braves are going all-in to contend for the National League pennant.
The Braves need more pitching help to contend in 2026. They have an electric batting lineup, led by 2023 National League MVP Ronald Acuna Jr., and won’t need much help at the plate as long as Acuna Jr. can stay healthy.
However, Atlanta’s starting rotation is quite thin. Chris Sale and Spencer Strider lead the way, but Strider had injury setbacks last year, and Sale’s resurgence may not be sustainable.
That is why the Braves must go out and add talent to their starting staff, and they will start with Zac Gallen.
More MLB Content From TWSN
The Dream Free Agent Signing For Every MLB Team
No, The Los Angeles Dodgers Aren’t Ruining Baseball
The Los Angeles Dodgers Are The Greatest Dynasty Of The Last 10 Years
Zac Gallen Predicted to Sign With The Atlanta BravesÂ
Zac Gallen made the big leagues in 2019 with the Miami Marlins, and after starting just seven games with the Marlins, he began to make a name for himself. So much so that he was traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks and has spent the remainder of his seven-year career there.
Gallen has started 176 games over his career and has never had a wins above replacement mark lower than 1.1 for a season.
Gallen has quickly become a reliable starting pitcher and innings eater with very high upside. A part of the Diamondbacks team that made the World Series in 2023, he has postseason experience that any contending team would love to have.
The Braves could roll out Sale, Strider, and Gallen and have possibly the best 1-2-3 in all of baseball, especially in terms of consistency with high upside.
The question then would become whether that is enough to get the job done. The Braves’ front office would also have to sort out the back end of the rotation. The Los Angeles Dodgers have proven how important starting pitching is in the postseason, so adding Gallen may not be enough to get Atlanta over the hump.
The Braves have already proven this offseason that they are willing to pay big for pitching talent. Can they find it in them to pay up for more than one starting pitcher as well?
Zac Gallen Contract Projection
Gallen is set to enter free agency for the first time in his career, and starting pitchers with his experience and production are going for a hefty amount these days.
At just 30 years old, Gallen will be looking at life-changing money in a long-term deal.Â
Spotrac has Gallen projected to sign a four-year $74.85 million deal, putting his average annual salary at $18.7 million. With Iglesias signing above his projected amount, landing a one-year, $16 million deal, Gallen could possibly break into the $20 million annual average.
This may be Gallen’s last chance to earn a big, long-term payday, so he should weigh all of his options. On the flip side, the Braves should understand that they have a championship window that is currently open, and sign Gallen right away.