Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Zac Gallen has decided to remain with the team, signing a one-year contract worth $22.025 million after initially entering free agency. This retention marks a continued commitment to a franchise Gallen believes can achieve greater success despite a mixed recent history.
Zac Gallen’s Decision to Stay with the Diamondbacks
Zac Gallen has spent the majority of his career with the Arizona Diamondbacks. After his last start of the 2023 season, he took a moment to absorb his surroundings, remaining in his uniform long after the game had concluded. As the offseason commenced, speculation arose that Gallen might relocate to another team.
In November, Gallen declined a qualifying offer from the Diamondbacks and entered the free agency market. According to MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand, he attracted interest from several teams, some of which presented multi-year offers. Ultimately, however, Gallen chose to remain in Arizona.
The qualifying offer he declined was valued at $22.025 million for one season, and interestingly, Gallen’s new contract mirrors this figure exactly: a one-year deal worth $22.025 million, with $14 million set to be deferred.
Gallen’s Impact and Future Prospects
This decision exemplifies a player betting on himself, ultimately deciding to stay where he has experienced the most success. At 30 years old, Gallen had opportunities for potentially better financial stability with different teams but opted to stay with a Diamondbacks roster he believes in.
Since joining the Diamondbacks in 2019 from the Miami Marlins, Gallen has seen some of his best performances. His standout seasons were in 2022 and 2023, where he finished in the top five for the National League Cy Young award and made his first All-Star appearance in 2023. Although he struggled in the 2025 season with a losing record, he bounced back in the final two months.
The Diamondbacks made a significant postseason appearance in 2023, reaching the World Series for the first time since 2001, but ultimately lost to the Texas Rangers in five games. While they improved their record in 2024, they narrowly missed the playoffs due to a tight three-way tie with the New York Mets and Atlanta Braves.
The previous season, however, was more challenging, with injuries sidelining key players, including three who required Tommy John surgery. The Diamondbacks concluded the season with a losing record and finished fourth in the NL West.
With a healthier roster, the Diamondbacks aim to embark on another deep postseason run, and they are relying on Gallen’s performance to help lead the charge.
John is a seasoned journalist at The Bothside News, specializing in balanced reporting across news, sports, business, and lifestyle. He believes in presenting multiple perspectives to help readers form informed opinions. His work embodies the publication’s philosophy that truth emerges from examining all sides of every story.
