The Chicago Cubs pulled off on of the most notable trades of the MLB off-season, sending Owen Caissie, Cristian Hernandez, and Edgardo de Leon to the Miami Marlins for hard-throwing right-handed pitcher Edward Cabrera. With Cabrera, who had an 8-7 record and 3.53 ERA in 2025, in tow, the Cubs now have a rotation that also includes Justin Steele and Shota Imanaga.
And while that is an impressive top-three, there are still those who believe that Chicago could do more to increase the quality of their starting depth.
And one name that continues to come up in free agent rumors is that of one-time All-Star Zac Gallen.
The Chicago Cubs have interest in All-Star pitcher Zac Gallen
Sep 3, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Zac Gallen (23) throws against the Texas Rangers in the first inning at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images
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Last season, Gallen was just 13-15 with a 4.83 ERA with the Arizona Diamondbacks. However, as down as the 2025 season was for him, he has 10+ wins in four straight seasons and was 14-6 with a 3.65 ERA in 2024.
The year before that, he was 17-9 with a 3.46, was a National League All-Star, and finished finished third in NL Cy Young voting.
And MLB insider Jon Heyman reports that the Cubs have had interest in him for a long time:
“This is a terrific pitcher, very good in the clutch. The Cubs have been linked to him for months. “
One thing that could complicate things, though, is that the Diamondbacks have extended a qualifying offer to Gallen. This means that, should be sign elsewhere, it would cost Chicago either a draft pick or money reserved for their international signings.
Another obstacle may be Gallen’s market value. Currently, Spotrac predicts he will sign a four-year contract worth $74.8 million, or $18.2 million a year.
That is certainly a hefty salary, one that the cost-conscious Cubs may not be willing to pay.
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