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Zac Gallen will return to the Diamondbacks after a tough free agency.
Zac Gallen’s disastrous free agency trip will finally come to an end. The right-hander returned to the Arizona Diamondbacks on a one-year deal.
In his latest piece for The Athletic, MLB Insider Ken Rosenthal spoke to someone familiar with the negotiations for the Diamondbacks starter. The source noted that while there were multiyear deals on the table, none of them had the yearly average that Gallen deemed acceptable. Instead, he chose to stay with a team he was familiar with and is hoping for a bounce-back season.
It’s no surprise the veteran starter experienced a cold market. Gallen experienced the worst season of his career, pitching to a 4.83 ERA and a career-low 21.9% strikeout rate. Having rejected a qualifying offer, it decreased the number of potential suitors due to draft pick penalties.
Since a cold market was going to hurt their draft pick compensation, it made more sense for the Diamondbacks to re-sign him.
Ultimately, Gallen will receive $22.05 million from the Diamondbacks, the same number as the qualifying offer. $14 million of it will be deferred to 2031 and later.
While it affects his present-day compensation, it plays out similarly to accepting the qualifying offer. That was a decision Arizona was more than comfortable with back in November.
How Zac Gallen’s Signing Affects the Diamondbacks Rotation
With Gallen back in the fold, it obviously carries major consequences for the Diamondbacks’ starting rotation. The right-hander will certainly account for one of Arizona’s five spots.
Merrill Kelly has already been named the Diamondbacks’ Opening Day starter. The rest of their rotation will likely feature Eduardo Rodriguez, Ryne Nelson, and Brandon Pfaadt. Nelson was the best performer of the three, while Rodriguez and Pfaadt are on long-term deals.
The one starter who is most affected is Michael Soroka. Soroka signed a one-year deal that guaranteed $7.5 million for the 2026 season, plus incentives.
Rosenthal revealed more about the incentives for the former Cubs and Nationals pitcher. Soroka’s playing time incentives will depend on a points system. He gets one point for every appearance and two points for each start. He will receive a bonus for every 10 points he receives.
10: $250K
20: $250K
30: $425K
40: $425K
50: $650K
In total, it adds up to $2 million. The good news for Soroka is that he will get paid if he stays healthy, regardless of his innings workload. The Diamondbacks will likely stretch him out as a starter this spring, just so he can start the season in a long reliever role.
Soroka’s eventual workload for the season will be decided by the health of the rotation. At full strength, he’s more likely to end up in the bullpen. However, he’d be the first arm they’d ask to step up in the rotation in the event of an injury.
Diamondbacks Payroll Following Zac Gallen’s Signing
Even though it seemed unlikely in September, the Diamondbacks could be on track for a record payroll for the third straight season. Obviously, a Gallen deal had to be green-lit by Managing General Partner Ken Kendrick.
Arizona will enter the 2026 season with a $195 million payroll, according to Roster Resource. Their Competitive Balance Tax number is at $223.7 million. Both are set to exceed the 2025 numbers of $191 million and $214 million.
Much of their money is tied to their starting rotation. Their six rotation candidates entering spring will get paid $87.9 million for the 2026 season. That comes after signing three free agents, giving Arizona its most expensive rotation to date.
With the Diamondbacks spending at record levels, the ante has risen for general manager Mike Hazen. The hope is that he can build a roster capable of contending for the postseason. Should Arizona fail to make the playoffs for the third straight season, the seat is going to get awfully warm for both Hazen and Torey Lovullo.
Michael McDermott Michael McDermott is a writer at Heavy Sports covering the Arizona Diamondbacks and Major League Baseball. Michael has 10 years experience writing about the D-backs and their farm system for AZ Snake Pit, Burn City Sports, and Diamondbacks On SI. More about Michael McDermott
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