{"id":575296,"date":"2026-02-16T08:54:01","date_gmt":"2026-02-16T08:54:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/575296\/"},"modified":"2026-02-16T08:54:01","modified_gmt":"2026-02-16T08:54:01","slug":"chicago-cubs-move-on-from-zac-gallen-pursuit-per-insider","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/575296\/","title":{"rendered":"Chicago Cubs move on from Zac Gallen pursuit, per insider"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Chicago Cubs are expecting big things from newcomer Edward Cabrera, who many in the organization feel is right on the verge of moving from high-promise, high-upside young gun to powerhouse ace.<\/p>\n

More News: Chicago Cubs projected to win NL Central by a ton, but\u2026<\/a><\/p>\n

The Cubs had to send their no. 1 prospect Owen Caissie to the Miami Marlins to get their hands on the 27-year-old righty, along with a pair of infield prospect, but, as of right now, there\u2019s not even the slightest bit of buyer\u2019s remorse.<\/p>\n

Cabrera will come to the team in the most ideal of situations, too, with the least amount of stress possible in a rotation expected to carry the team to a deep playoff run.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s no pressure on the young talent to immediately step in and become a superstar or even to become an elite-tier starter right now. He\u2019ll be able to slide right into the middle of a deep Cubs rotation while contributing and further developing at his own pace. Alongside fellow starters Matthew Boyd, Cade Horton, Jameson Taillon, Shota Imanaga, and the soon-to-be-returning Justin Steele, Cabrera will find a significantly dimmer spotlight shining on him.<\/p>\n

Killing off rumors of a Cubs-Zac Gallen union
\n\"ZacArizona Diamondbacks Zac Gallen (23) pitches against the Philadelphia Phillies during their NLCS game at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia on Oct. 16, 2023.<\/p>\n

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There\u2019ve been rumors, too, that the deep Cubs rotation could be even deeper come opening day. Buzz regarding Chicago\u2019s continued interest in the still-unsigned Zac Gallen has been all over the place, priming Cubs fans for the possibility that Jed Hoyer and the front office may have one more big move in store before spring training fully kicks into gear.<\/p>\n

The idea of a Cubs-Gallen union is no doubt an attractive one. After all, why WOULDN\u2019T Chicago want a workhorse starter with ace-level chops in the rotation, even if that rotation becomes overstuffed with quality starters?<\/p>\n

Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic<\/a>, however, has just dumped some cold water on the flaming-hot Gallen rumors.<\/p>\n

Per Sharma:<\/p>\n

\u201cEven as his free agency drags on, the Cubs are unlikely to land starting pitcher Zac Gallen. The longer he lingers on the market, the more concerned the Cubs front office will be that Gallen can even be an effective starter this season without a normal spring training to ramp up. A one-year deal, or an opt-out after one year, makes little sense when it means losing a draft pick. Gallen should have other suitors who would be a more logical fit.\u201d<\/p>\n

Logic trumps ambition
\n\"JedJan 12, 2024; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer talks to the media after introducing pitcher Shota Imanaga (not pictured) during a press conference at Loews Chicago Hotel. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports<\/p>\n

And, yeah, it makes total sense why they\u2019d bow out of any Gallen talk at this point. Actually, it never quite made sense in the first place why the Cubs would still even be taking to Gallen, given that they retained Imanaga this offseason and traded for Cabrera.<\/p>\n

Possibly, if the righty\u2019s price dropped to an insane degree, the Cubs would take a grab at the 30-year-old on a short-term deal. But, realistically, that wasn\u2019t likely to happen. It\u2019s still pretty much a sure thing that he\u2019ll get a decent deal somewhere, with more years attached than the Cubs would\u2019ve felt comfortable offering.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s true that you can never have too much starting pitching, but the Cubs, as of right now, are about as solid in that regard as anyone else in baseball.<\/p>\n

Cubs don\u2019t need Gallen, anyway
\n\"MLB:MLB: Chicago Cubs at Toronto Blue Jays Aug 13, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Cade Horton (22) delivers a pitch against the Toronto Blue Jays in the first inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Boyd, Horton, Cabrera, Taillon, Imanaga make for a solid front five and Steele should be back in the mix by mid-season. Beyond the likely A-team, there are swing men Colin Rea and Javier Assad along with Ben Brown, Jordan Wicks, and top pitching prospect Jaxon Wiggins. The team has also brought in some low-risk non-roster arms, most recently once-upon-a-time 21-game winner Kyle Wright.<\/p>\n

Barring some deep, dark bad luck, the Cubs should be alright when it comes to starting pitching.<\/p>\n

If Gallen would\u2019ve fallen into their laps, fine. You don\u2019t turn away a pitcher like Zac Gallen if you can get him on a sweetheart deal. But they don\u2019t NEED Gallen. And, apparently, the rumors of pursuing him are no longer worth the distractions they could create.<\/p>\n

\"Chicago<\/p>\n

Chicago Cubs near agreement with former Milwaukee Brewers All-Star reliever ahead of 2026
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