Former Diamondbacks pitcher reflects on 2001 World Series win
Former Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Mike Morgan spoke about the 2001 World Series and the current team at the club’s 2025 fantasy camp.
Gallen is expected to decline the Diamondbacks’ $22 million qualifying offer and enter free agency.Contract projections for Gallen vary widely, ranging from two years for $42 million to four years for $80 million.
LAS VEGAS — Baseball agent Scott Boras likes to use his annual media session at the General Managers Meetings to pump up his clients using colorful prose and silly puns. He took full advantage of the opportunity on Wednesday, Nov. 12, as it pertained to right-hander Zac Gallen, delivering much of his wordplay with a clever tone or knowing pause.
“You really learn after being in these rooms that the available starting pitchers is pint-sized,” Boras told a throng of reporters at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. “So we know that a lot of teams are going to be quarting (courting) Gallen.
“There’s not an ounce of truth to the idea that Gallen couldn’t fill up a rotation. Look, if you want a pitcher, why not Gallen?”
Gallen still has one last decision to make before diving headlong into free agency — whether to accept or decline the one-year, $22 million qualifying offer the Diamondbacks extended to him on Nov. 6. Gallen must decide by Nov. 18.
If he declines, as most expect, it likely will mark the end of his time with the Diamondbacks.
That would leave the Diamondbacks with two holes in their starting rotation and no clear route to fill them. They are signaling that they do not have money to spend and might need to shed payroll. That could cut them off from even the middle class of the free-agent market.
As for the hope of a reunion with right-hander Merrill Kelly, there are reasons to doubt whether that happens, either. Kelly, whom the Diamondbacks traded to the Texas Rangers in July, has said for months that he would love to finish his career in Arizona.
Diamondbacks’ GM Mike Hazen takes a look back on the 2025 season
After just missing the playoffs, Arizona Diamondbacks general manager Mike Hazen put his assessment of the season into words.
But he appears to be a popular name in free agency, and the Diamondbacks are content to let him test the market and circle back rather than pursuing him in earnest.
There also are indications Kelly, who signed a below-market extension with the Diamondbacks in April 2022, is looking for a deal more commensurate with his market value. If he gets that sort of offer — various publications project him to get a two-year deal in the $35 million to $46 million range — that likely will price him out of Arizona.
Gallen’s situation is viewed by many as fascinating. Gallen is coming off a down year, leading to speculation that he won’t receive the sort of contract offer he wants. That has some wondering if he might end up taking the qualifying offer, which would leave the Diamondbacks with even less financial wiggle room than before.
Then again, Gallen finished this past season with two strong months, a stretch that falls more in line with the majority of his career. And with what feels like more than half of major league clubs in the market for pitching, it could be that someone will be willing to bet on his strong finish and lengthy track record.
Media projections vary widely. ESPN (four years, $76 million) and MLB Trade Rumors (four years, $80 million) see him similarly while The Athletic anticipates a more tepid market, expecting him to sign for just two years and $42 million.