PHOENIX — The Arizona Diamondbacks have agreed to terms with starting pitcher Zac Gallen on a one-year contract worth $22.05 million, according to a source familiar with the negotiations who spoke to ESPN on Friday. The deal, which is pending Gallen's physical examination, matches the value of the qualifying offer the 30-year-old right-hander turned down earlier this offseason. This move brings back a key piece of the Diamondbacks' rotation as the team looks to rebound from a disappointing 2025 season.
Gallen, who has been a cornerstone of the Arizona pitching staff since his arrival in 2019, rejected the $22.025 million qualifying offer by the November 18 deadline. The agreement, first reported by multiple outlets including ESPN and The Athletic, includes approximately $14 million in deferrals, per The Athletic's reporting. These deferrals could help the Diamondbacks manage their payroll while securing Gallen's services for another year in the desert.
The Diamondbacks' decision to retain Gallen comes after a summer trade deadline move that saw them part ways with fellow starter Merrill Kelly, Gallen's longtime rotation mate. That trade, executed before the July 31 deadline, was part of a broader roster shuffle aimed at contending in the National League West. By holding onto Gallen, Arizona was able to extend the qualifying offer, hoping to either keep him or gain draft compensation if he signed elsewhere. Instead, the two sides found common ground on a short-term pact.
Gallen's journey with the Diamondbacks began in a blockbuster trade on July 31, 2019, when Arizona acquired him from the Miami Marlins in exchange for Jazz Chisholm Jr. in a one-for-one prospect swap. Since then, Gallen has emerged as one of the franchise's most accomplished pitchers, amassing 65 wins and ranking third all-time behind only Hall of Famer Randy Johnson and Brandon Webb. His tenure in Arizona has been marked by consistent excellence, particularly in 2022 and 2023.
In 2022, Gallen posted a stellar 12-4 record with a 2.51 earned-run average over 31 starts, earning him a fifth-place finish in the National League Cy Young Award voting. He built on that success the following year, going 17-9 with a 3.47 ERA across a career-high 210 innings pitched, which landed him third in the Cy Young race. Those seasons solidified Gallen's status as a workhorse and leader in the Diamondbacks' rotation.
However, Gallen's performance dipped in recent years. In 2024, he missed about a month due to a hamstring strain but still managed a 14-6 record with a 3.65 ERA. The 2025 season brought more challenges, as his ERA ballooned to a career-worst 4.83, and his strikeout rate fell to a personal low of 21.5%. Opponents capitalized on his curveball, slugging .438 against it after holding them to just .230 in 2024. Despite these struggles, the Diamondbacks see value in bringing him back to regain form in a familiar environment.
The agreement underscores the Diamondbacks' strategy of prioritizing continuity in their pitching staff amid a competitive National League landscape. Arizona finished the 2025 season with a sub-.500 record, missing the playoffs after back-to-back postseason appearances in 2023 and 2024. General Manager Mike Hazen has emphasized the importance of experienced arms like Gallen to mentor younger pitchers and provide stability.
While the deal is pending Gallen's physical, sources indicate no major concerns about his health beyond the hamstring issue from last year. Gallen, who turns 31 in August, has a history of durability, logging over 200 innings in 2023 and showing resilience despite injuries. The one-year structure allows both sides flexibility: Gallen can rebuild his value ahead of free agency in 2026, while the Diamondbacks avoid a long-term commitment to a pitcher coming off a down year.
The deferrals in the contract, totaling around $14 million, are a common tactic in MLB to ease luxury tax implications for mid-market teams like the Diamondbacks. Arizona, which plays its home games at Chase Field in Phoenix, operates under payroll constraints but has invested heavily in its core since reaching the World Series in 2023. This deal fits into that framework, providing high-upside rotation help without breaking the bank.
Gallen's return also closes a chapter on what could have been a contentious offseason. After declining the qualifying offer, he drew interest from several teams, including contenders in the American League. However, his ties to Arizona—where he has spent his entire big-league career—and the familiarity of the organization likely played a role in his decision to stay. "It's great to have Zac back," a team official told ESPN, though the source requested anonymity as the deal was not yet official.
Looking back, Gallen's trade from Miami was a coup for Arizona. The Marlins, rebuilding at the time, viewed Chisholm as a high-potential outfielder, but Gallen has far outpaced expectations. His 65 wins in six seasons highlight his immediate impact, and fans in the Valley of the Sun have embraced him as a homegrown star, even if he arrived via trade.
The broader context of MLB's qualifying offer system adds layers to this agreement. The system, designed to compensate teams for losing free agents, often leads to one-year "bridge" deals like this one. Gallen, by accepting the same value he rejected, avoids arbitration or free agency uncertainties while positioning himself for a potentially larger contract next winter.
As the Diamondbacks gear up for spring training in February 2026 at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale, Gallen's role will be pivotal. With Kelly gone and other rotation spots in flux, he could anchor the staff alongside emerging talents like Brandon Pfaadt and Ryne Nelson. Manager Torey Lovullo has praised Gallen's competitiveness, noting in past interviews his ability to bounce back from adversity.
The implications of this deal extend beyond the mound. For a franchise still chasing the success of its 2023 World Series run, retaining Gallen signals commitment to contending rather than a full rebuild. Offseason moves like this could set the tone for Arizona's 2026 campaign, where they'll face stiff competition from the Dodgers, Giants, and Padres in the NL West.
While details remain fluid until the physical is completed, the agreement marks a positive step for both Gallen and the Diamondbacks. As one league source put it to ESPN's Alden Gonzalez, who contributed to the reporting, this is a "win-win" that keeps a proven talent in purple and teal. Fans can now look forward to Gallen taking the hill on Opening Day, March 27, 2026, against a yet-to-be-determined opponent at Chase Field.