The Baltimore Orioles started their 2025-26 off-season period scorching hot, singing superstar slugger Pete Alonso, flame throwing closer Ryan Helsley, and trading for electric starting pitcher Shane Baz & home-run hitter Taylor Ward.
Baz was the most recent acquisition out the core four, but happened on December 19, 2025 — a full 53 days ago.
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Since then, Baltimore has re-signed starting pitcher Zach Eflin and traded for Arizona Diamondbacks utility man Blaze Alexander.
Fans have grown disgruntled with President of Baseball Operations Mike Elias’ recent lack of aggression, specifically with the starting pitcher market.
We have seen notable top of the rotation starting pitchers who were linked to Baltimore, sign with other contending ball clubs; Framber Valdez, Ranger Suarez and Michael King just to name a few.
However, there is one former All-Star that is available on the open market who happens to be linked with Baltimore — that being former Arizona Diamondbacks ace Zac Gallen.
Free Agent Starting Pitcher Zac Gallen (23) | © Rob Schumacher/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
As of Tuesday, February 10, USA Today Baseball Columnist Bob Nightengale announced that the market for Gallen is heating up, with Baltimore being one the reported teams.
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The San Diego Padres, Chicago Cubs and Arizona Diamondbacks are amongst other possible suitors.
Throughout Gallen’s seven year playing career, his calling card has been his control and ability to pitch deep into games.
Since the start of 2020, Gallen’s 927.1 innings thrown ranks 10th amongst ALL starting pitchers. Additionally, his .278 BABIP (batting average balls in play) is also 10th amongst all qualified starting pitchers who have thrown 750 innings or more.
There’s no doubting that Gallen and his heavy workload could carry a rotation for certain stretches, but can he elevate his performance following back-to-back disappointing seasons?
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In 2024, Gallen’s regression started to become apparent. Opposing hitters would see Gallen well, as their average exit velocity of 90 mph was in the 19th percentile, and a hard-hit rate of 41.0% placed in the 30th percentile.
Gallen simply didn’t have the overpowering stuff that he once had, but powered through 28 appearances recording a solid 3.65 ERA and 156 strikeouts over 148 innings of work.
Although Gallen got hit hard in 2024, his breaking run value was still elite, placing in the 98th percentile. He would also rank in the 82nd percentile in off speed run value, and 75th percentile in pitching run value. However, Gallen’s fastball was poor, as he placed in the 15th percentile for fastball run value.
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Fast forward to 2025, and it’s a contract season for Gallen. He understood that in order to get the money he desires, he MUST step up his game. Unfortunately, his game did not step up — in fact it took a downward dive.
Gallen would appear in 33 games, a five game improvement from the following season, but would fail to put it all together.
Free Agent Starting Pitcher Zac Gallen (23) | © Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
In 192 innings, Gallen posted a 4.83 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 175 strikeouts.
Gallen saw his breaking run value regress significantly, as he placed in the 7th percentile in that metric — a 91 point drop off from 2024.
The former All-Star allowed opposing batters to average a 9.7% barrel rate (24th percentile), 43% hard-hit rate (26th percentile) and a 90.1 average exit velocity (29th percentile).
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Gallen’s fastball averaged 93.5 mph (35th percentile), while only having a 21.5% strikeout rate (42nd percentile) and an 8.1 walk rate (46th percentile).
It was unusual that Gallen’s control and pinpoint placement took such a jurassic drop in 2025, but every indication pointed to Gallen’s regression being a constant.
Baltimore is still active in the market for a starting pitcher, but Elias shot down a lot of fans hopes that they could acquire a legitimate top of the rotation arm.
This comment by Elias indicates that he, along with new manager Craig Albernaz are content with the current state of Baltimore’s pitching rotation.
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Considering the way Gallen has pitched over the past two seasons, it seems like Baltimore isn’t overly eager to offer a large annual value contract to a regressing pitcher.
However, many believe that Gallen’s veteran presence and a change of scenery could elevate his game back to an All-Star level. After all, he is only 30 years old.
With numerous clubs expressing interest in Gallen, Elias has to act fast and decide what route is best for this team.
Do you go out and land a big fish, or stay put?