The Arizona Diamondbacks watched two of their former pitchers enter free agency this winter, but only one’s found a new home. Merrill Kelly, despite finishing last season with Texas, quickly re-signed with Arizona on a two-year, $40 million deal.
Zac Gallen tells a different story.
He’s still looking for a team, and according to industry insiders, that search might drag on longer than expected. Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports that one MLB executive considers Gallen the “least attractive” free agent remaining on the market.
“One executive, granted anonymity for his candor, said Gallen might suffer from being one of the least attractive free agents among those who rejected qualifying offers,” Rosenthal shared.
It’s a harsh assessment, but it makes sense when you break down the numbers.
The Qualifying Offer Problem
Gallen’s biggest obstacle isn’t his stuff or his track record – it’s the qualifying offer he declined. That $22.25 million offer for 2026 now follows him like a shadow, creating a massive deterrent for interested clubs.
Any team that signs Gallen forfeits draft pick compensation. Doesn’t matter if they’re paying him $15 million or $150 million – they’re giving up picks either way.
That’s a tough sell in today’s market. Teams have shown they’re reluctant to surrender draft capital even for elite talent, let alone a pitcher coming off his worst season.
The 30-year-old posted a 4.83 ERA in 2025, easily the worst mark of his major league career. When you combine that performance with draft pick compensation, you get a player sitting on the market well into January.
There’s Still Upside
Gallen did show flashes of his old form down the stretch. His 3.32 ERA over his final 11 starts suggests the underlying talent remains intact, but that might not be enough to overcome the qualifying offer stigma.
What makes this situation different is the timing. In previous years, a pitcher of Gallen’s caliber might’ve generated enough interest to offset the draft pick penalty. This winter, teams seem more focused on value plays and avoiding compensation altogether.
From where I’m sitting, Gallen’s best bet might be waiting out the market. As spring training approaches, some team will likely decide his upside outweighs the draft pick cost. But that team probably isn’t going to pay premium prices.
The executive’s assessment might sound brutal, but it captures the reality facing qualified free agents who don’t perform at elite levels. Gallen will find a home eventually – it just might take longer and pay less than he originally hoped.
