NL Notes: Gallen Dominates, Pozo’s Path, Nationals Moves, Aydt Update

The offseason in Major League Baseball always brings contract rumors, roster shakeups, and front-office surprises. This week? No different. Arizona Diamondbacks ace Zac Gallen wants to stay in the desert, but nobody knows if the two sides can actually work something out.

The St. Louis Cardinals made a move that caught folks off guard, non-tendering catcher Yohel Pozo. Washington’s Nationals keep stacking their staff with coaches who lean on analytics. What do these moves mean for each club as 2025 creeps closer?

Zac Gallen’s Uncertain Future in Arizona

Zac Gallen has led the Diamondbacks’ rotation for a while, even grabbing an All-Star spot and carrying the team through the playoffs. This past season, though, he struggled with a 4.83 ERA and a career-low 21.5% strikeout rate. Now, he’s heading into free agency in a totally different spot than last year.

Even with the rough patch, most projections (like MLB Trade Rumors) still think he’ll get a hefty contract—maybe four years, $80 million. The numbers are big, but the questions are bigger.

Could a Shorter Contract Be the Key?

Maybe a shorter deal with opt-outs is the answer. That’d give Gallen a shot to bounce back, hit free agency again soon, and help Arizona keep him without a massive long-term risk.

But does Arizona have the payroll wiggle room for this? That’s tough to say.

Gallen’s agent, Scott Boras, is famous for creative contracts. For a mid-market team like Arizona, that flexibility might be the only way to keep their ace after 2025.

Gallen says he wants to stay, but only if it “feels like the right fit” for him and his family. You can’t blame him for thinking it over.

St. Louis Cardinals’ Catching Conundrum

Over in the NL Central, the St. Louis Cardinals surprised some folks by non-tendering catcher Yohel Pozo. He’s a free agent now, but the team says they’d like him back.

Why? Catching depth is always important, especially when your current group has injury questions and not much big-league experience.

Balancing Depth and Development

The Cardinals have four other catchers on their 40-man, but none are sure things. Pozo played 67 games last year and hit .231—not much power, but he knows the staff and can hold down the fort behind the plate.

• Pozo’s low strikeout rate and contact-heavy style could balance out the lineup’s younger, swing-and-miss bats.
• Having him around means the team doesn’t have to rush prospects before they’re ready.
• He brings steady defense and solid game-calling, even if his bat is just average.

He’s your classic veteran stopgap. If injuries pop up or a rookie struggles, he’s there to keep things steady.

Washington Nationals Continue Coaching Overhaul

Meanwhile in D.C., the Washington Nationals hired Andrew Aydt from Driveline Baseball as their new assistant hitting coach. It’s a clear sign they’re all-in on younger, data-driven coaches under new President of Baseball Ops Paul Toboni.

The Shift Toward Analytics in D.C.

Driveline’s known for pushing the envelope with player development—think biomechanical analysis, bat-speed drills, and lots of data. By bringing in Aydt, the Nationals are betting on a modern approach to hitting that might help unlock some hidden offensive upside.

Washington’s lineup has struggled lately, and they’ve got a bunch of young players. This move fits their rebuild, and with Toboni running the show, you can probably expect more tech-driven hires and fresh ideas soon.

Final Thoughts

Zac Gallen’s contract talks are heating up. The Cardinals are juggling catching depth, and the Nationals just hired some pretty modern coaches.

All these stories show just how unpredictable baseball’s offseason can get. Every move—signing a star, keeping a bench guy, or shaking up the coaching staff—can send shockwaves into next season.

Spring training’s coming up fast. Front offices have to balance what they need now with what they’ll need down the road.

Fans know winter decisions shape what we see on the field in July. It’s all connected, isn’t it?

—

If you want, I can also draft a **meta title and meta description** for SEO so this post ranks well in search results. Would you like me to do that?
 
Here is the source article for this story: NL Notes: Gallen, Pozo, Nationals, Aydt