Giants, Angels, Tigers Among Teams Pursuing Zac Gallen

This article breaks down Zac Gallen’s fascinating entry into free agency. He’s a former Cy Young finalist and All-Star whose 2025 performance raised questions, but his track record of durability and upside still makes him one of the most intriguing arms on the market.

Let’s look at his recent struggles, his late-season rebound, which teams are circling, and what kind of contract structure might fit both Gallen and his suitors.

Zac Gallen Hits the Market After Declining Qualifying Offer

Zac Gallen made a bold decision this offseason. He turned down a qualifying offer from the Arizona Diamondbacks and decided to test the open market.

For a pitcher coming off a disappointing 2025 campaign, that’s a calculated gamble. He’s betting on both his past performance and his future value.

Gallen’s pedigree is undeniable. He’s a former Cy Young finalist and All-Star, long viewed as one of the more polished right-handers in the game.

What complicates his value now is the split nature of his most recent season. Teams have to decide how much weight to put on those trends going forward.

A Tale of Two Seasons: Early Struggles, Late Rebound

Across the first four months of 2025, Gallen just wasn’t himself. He labored to a 5.60 ERA, with one glaring culprit: a spike in his home run rate.

Balls that used to die on the warning track started finding the seats, and it put constant pressure on his outings. But then the script shifted down the stretch.

Gallen tightened his command and limited the damage. He looked much closer to the top-of-the-rotation version fans remember.

By season’s end, he had dragged his ERA down to 4.83. Not pretty by his standards, but far more respectable considering his rocky start.

Durability Remains Gallen’s Strongest Selling Point

The ERA tells one story, but the workload tells another. For front offices wary of fragile arms, Gallen checks a critical box—he takes the ball every fifth day.

In 2025, he started 33 games. He proved again he can shoulder a full-season load.

Since 2022, he ranks third in the majors in innings pitched. That says a lot about his conditioning and his efficient mechanics.

A Clean Health Record in a Risky Market

Gallen’s injury history is relatively light. In a market full of starters with lengthy medical files, his ability to stay on the field stands out.

Clubs looking for reliability at the front or middle of the rotation see him as a stabilizing force. That durability softens the concern over his 2025 stat line.

Which Teams Are Pursuing Zac Gallen?

Gallen’s market has developed quickly. Several contenders and would-be contenders have already kicked the tires, each with a slightly different vision of how he fits their rotation puzzle.

The teams known to have interest include:

Giants and Angels Lead the Conversation

The Giants and Angels are currently at the forefront of discussions. For San Francisco, Gallen profiles as a sensible rotation upgrade—a proven innings-eater who can slot alongside their blend of young arms and established veterans.

The Giants’ approach seems measured. They want an impact starter, but not at the cost of a massive, long-term, nine-figure commitment.

Gallen’s current market—strong but imperfect—may align with that philosophy. The Angels, meanwhile, view Gallen as a stabilizing presence behind their top starters.

With ongoing payroll considerations, they’re looking for value. A pitcher with frontline experience who might come at a slightly depressed rate due to his 2025 wobbles, yet still has the upside to pitch like a No. 2 when right.

Tigers, Orioles, Cubs, and Braves Weigh Their Options

The Tigers are an intriguing fit. They could use Gallen to deepen their rotation and protect against potential 2026 departures of key starters.

The Orioles and Cubs are also in the mix, but they seem more focused on arms with either more team control or higher perceived upside. They’re exploring the market broadly, so Gallen is on their board but probably not at the top.

The Braves, perennial contenders, are always searching for rotation insurance. For them, Gallen would be more of a luxury than a necessity, but his durability and postseason-caliber ceiling make him a name to monitor if their other plans don’t materialize.

Projected Contract: Multi-Year Deal with Flexibility

Gallen’s free agency is likely headed toward a multi-year contract, but not a blank-check deal. Teams are wary of his 2025 performance, yet they’re intrigued by his durability and prior excellence.

That tension usually produces creative structures. Expect a deal that includes:

Risk, Reward, and Gallen’s Free Agency Gamble

The shape of Gallen’s contract really depends on how much risk he’s willing to take. If he’s confident he can bounce back, he might push for early opt-outs and bet on himself to score another big deal soon.

But if he wants more security, maybe he’ll lean toward a longer contract with a lower average annual value. That’s a tough call for any pitcher, honestly.

Even after a shaky 2025, Zac Gallen still stands out as one of the most intriguing arms available. He’s durable, has been through the battles, and could totally change the outlook for whichever rotation he joins next.

 
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