"This winter's qualifying offer is estimated to be worth roughly $22MM. While a nice one-year payday, Gallen is undoubtedly looking for much more in a longer-term commitment as he tests the market for the first time. Even if his struggles this year inevitably lower his asking price, baseball's ever-present need for pitching means that Gallen should be able to land some kind of acceptable multi-year pact."
"Scott Boras (Gallen's agent) has a long history of finding such deals for his clients, though Boras has also explored relatively shorter-term contracts with opt-out clauses for players who are entering free agency on the heels of so-so platform years. It isn't hard to imagine Gallen signing such a deal, and then if he returns to form in 2026, enacting an opt-out clause to immediately return to free agency."
"Gallen posted a 4.83 ERA, 21.5% strikeout rate, and 8.1% walk rate over 192 innings in 2025, with the ERA and K% both standing out as career worsts. Pretty much all of Gallen's Statcast numbers were below the league average, and he was continually plagued by the home run ball - Gallen's 31 homers allowed were the third-most of any pitcher in baseball."
Zac Gallen will test free agency after a shaky 2025 season, forcing teams to weigh prior success against recent declines. His 2025 line included a 4.83 ERA, a 21.5% strikeout rate, an 8.1% walk rate, and 31 homers allowed across 192 innings. Statcast metrics and hard-hit rates were below league average. A qualifying offer of roughly $22MM is available, but Gallen is pursuing longer-term security. Agent Scott Boras could seek multi-year deals or shorter contracts with opt-outs allowing a return to free agency if Gallen rebounds. Potential CBA uncertainty adds market risk.
Read at MLB Trade Rumors
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