Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Zac Gallen is entering the final year of his contract and aims to deliver a season reminiscent of his Cy Young-caliber performances before hitting free agency. The Athletic’s Tim Britton recently projected that Gallen could land a seven-year, $187 million contract extension in 2025, while Spotrac values him at $138 million.
Gallen has long been the ace of Arizona’s staff, but following the surprise signing of Corbin Burnes to a six-year, $210 million deal, he’ll likely shift into the No. 2 spot in what could be a powerhouse rotation.
Before last season, Gallen had received Cy Young consideration in each of the previous three years, making close to a full season’s worth of starts. From 2022-23, he posted a combined 3.04 ERA over 394 innings. However, in 2024, he battled hamstring issues and finished with a 3.65 ERA over 148 innings. Gallen avoided arbitration in January, earning $13.5 million for the season.
Zac Gallen Could Secure a Major Long-Term Extension
At his best, Gallen is an All-Star and Cy Young-caliber pitcher. Since making his MLB debut with the Miami Marlins in 2019, he has emerged as one of the game’s most reliable starters. That same year, Miami traded him to Arizona in exchange for Jazz Chisholm Jr., a deal that has worked out well for both teams. Over 815 1/3 career innings, Gallen owns a 3.29 ERA, a 26.6% strikeout rate, and a 7.6% walk rate.
With Burnes, Gallen, Merrill Kelly, Eduardo Rodriguez, Ryne Nelson, Brandon Pfaadt, and potentially Jordan Montgomery, the Diamondbacks have a wealth of rotation depth heading into 2024. However, despite the potential for a long-term extension, Gallen’s future in Arizona remains uncertain. If the Diamondbacks struggle, ESPN’s Buster Olney has suggested they could look to trade him at the deadline rather than risk losing him for nothing in free agency. That adds even more urgency for both Gallen and the team to perform this season.
The 2025-26 free agent class features an intriguing group of starting pitchers, headlined by Gallen, Dylan Cease, and Framber Valdez. Beyond that trio, Michael King could join the mix, while Brandon Woodruff and Zach Eflin also loom as potential free-agent options. The class isn’t just strong in the rotation—there’s also a deep pool of relievers, which could grow even stronger if Edwin Díaz and Robert Suarez exercise their opt-out clauses.
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