The Diamondbacks are bringing back Zac Gallen on a one-year deal, pending a physical exam. This deal comes after Gallen declined the qualifying offer in November, which would have guaranteed him $22.025MM. However, the contract includes a reported $14MM that will be paid in installments from 2031-35, meaning the D-Backs will only pay a little over $8MM this year. This is a strategic move for the team, as they aim to retain Gallen without breaking the bank. Gallen's performance last season was a concern, with a 4.83 ERA and a career-low 21.5% strikeout rate, but he showed improvement in the second half of the season, posting a 3.32 ERA over his final 65 innings. The Diamondbacks are happy to have him back, and he will join the rotation alongside Kelly, Ryne Nelson, Eduardo Rodriguez, and Brandon Pfaadt. This deal brings the team's payroll projection to around $194MM, which is a significant improvement from the previous year's budget. Gallen's return provides stability and allows the team to focus on other areas of improvement without sacrificing their financial flexibility.
