When Zac Gallen declined the Diamondbacks\u2019 qualifying offer on November 18, it seemed like the end of his time in Arizona. It had been a good run, covering seven seasons and likely peaking in 2023, when he was an All-Star, came third in Cy Young voting and was a major factor in the team winning their first National League pennant since 2001. But at the age of thirty, it was time for Gallen to cash in. He had earned around $30 million in his career, but far bigger bucks were possible. MLB Trade Rumors had Gallen as the #15 free agent this winter (#6 among starting pitchers), and predicted a four year, $80 million contract.<\/p>\n
But more than two months after Gallen formally became a free agent, he still has yet to find a new employer. There have been rumors of course. As well as \u201cBob\u201d Nightengale\u2019s statement in early December, \u201cThe Chicago Cubs are close to finalizing an agreement with free-agent starter Zac Gallen on a multi-year deal that will pay him an average of $22 million a year.\u201d This came as a surprise to everyone, not least the Chicago Cubs. But the bottom line is, with little more than a fortnight before pitchers and catchers report, Gallen is unsigned. This would normally be of interest to us, solely because of the draft pick Arizona gets due to the qualifying offer.<\/p>\n
But then, Jim Bowden of The Athletic, wrote about<\/a> the remaining free agents, and had this to say about Gallen. \u201cThe Diamondbacks would love to get him back and are considered the front-runners to re-sign him.\u201d Wait, what? Not just in the mix. \u201cConsidered the front-runners\u201d. This is almost Dan Bickley, \u201cIt\u2019s a matter of time before they get Alex Bregman\u201d levels of confidence. He does point out that Arizona, as his original team, wouldn\u2019t have to give up a draft pick to do it. Though counterpoint: if anyone else signs him, we get an additional pick (slot depending on contract size). So the D-backs would still be \u201closing\u201d a draft pick if they sign Gallen themselves.<\/p>\n The bigger question is more likely one of cost. The qualifying offer Gallen turned down was a one-year contract at fractionally over $22 million. Thereafter, the team pivoted to bringing back Merrill Kelly at roughly the same cost, and also added Michael Soroka to the rotation. If Gallen had accepted the offer, I highly doubt the team would have proceeded down the Kelly route. Indeed, it\u2019s quite possible that if the D-backs thought Gallen would accept the QO, they simply would not have made one, and just let him walk instead. Do they still have the cash to bring Gallen back? If we accept what the team has publicly said, it\u2019s a \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n