Starting pitcher Zac Gallen has signed a one-year free agent contract to return to the Arizona Diamondbacks, as reported by Arizona Sports’ John Gambadoro on Friday. The agreement, valued at $22.05 million with $14 million deferred, solidifies Gallen’s continued role as a key figure in the Diamondbacks’ rotation.
Details of Gallen’s Contract and Payment Structure
The one-year contract comes without any additional option years or performance incentives. According to Gambadoro, for competitive balance considerations, the present-day value of Gallen’s contract will be approximately $12-13 million. Of note, two-thirds of Gallen’s total pay will be deferred and disbursed over five years, commencing in the sixth year of the contract.
The present day value of Zac Gallens contract will come in around $12-13 million for competitive balance purposes.
— John Gambadoro
Zac Gallen will be paid roughly $2.8 million per year for 5 years starting in year 6 of this contract.
— John Gambadoro
Initially, the Diamondbacks extended Gallen a qualifying offer at the start of the offseason, which was valued at $22 million for one year. Gallen declined this offer, which meant that if he signed with another team, that team would forfeit draft picks. This elevated Arizona’s potential to gain draft capital should Gallen have left, but ultimately, he chose to return.
Gallen’s Free Agency Timeline and Team Interest
When most Major League Baseball teams reported for spring training, Zac Gallen remained unsigned. By the following Tuesday, interest in Gallen’s services intensified, with the Diamondbacks, Chicago Cubs, Baltimore Orioles, and San Diego Padres identified as frontrunners in the bidding.
Torey Lovullo, the Diamondbacks’ manager, acknowledged Gallen’s significance to the team and expressed a hopeful tone about his possible return.
“I don’t know exactly what’s going on. I don’t know why he’s still out there. But if something happens and he walks back into this clubhouse, we would welcome him with open arms,”
Lovullo said following the start of spring training.
The Diamondbacks entered this offseason with an urgent need to bolster their starting rotation. This urgency stemmed from the midseason trade of Merrill Kelly and ace Corbin Burnes being sidelined due to Tommy John surgery. To address these gaps, Arizona re-signed Kelly to a two-year deal and added right-hander Michael Soroka, all while anticipating Burnes’ midseason return.
At the outset of the offseason, Arizona’s starting rotation included Ryne Nelson, Eduardo Rodriguez, and Brandon Pfaadt. General manager Mike Hazen confirmed that acquiring additional starting pitching remained a priority for the team.
Gallen’s Connection to the Diamondbacks and Personal Milestones
Gallen has expressed a strong desire to remain with Arizona. After his final start of the 2025 season at Petco Park, he lingered in the road team’s clubhouse with his uniform still on, reluctant to take it off, signaling his attachment to the team.
Off the field, Gallen marked a major personal occasion during the offseason by getting married. He humorously addressed speculation about his free agent status with an Instagram post featuring a photo of wedding rings and the caption,
“The only contract signed this weekend.”
Gallen’s History and Accomplishments with the Diamondbacks
Zac Gallen’s tenure with the Diamondbacks began in 2019 when the team acquired him from the Miami Marlins in exchange for top prospect Jazz Chisholm Jr. Since joining Arizona, Gallen has emerged as an elite pitcher, finishing among the top 10 in Cy Young Award voting three times and earning an All-Star selection (with an argument for two). He also joined Randy Johnson and Brandon Webb as one of only three Diamondbacks pitchers to amass 1,000 strikeouts.
Statistically, Gallen is third in franchise history in innings pitched (971) and pitching starts (169). He ranks fourth in career bWAR among Diamondbacks pitchers with 19.4 and is fifth in win probability added (8.7), underscoring his lasting impact on the team.
A lot of fond memories here,
Gallen remarked after his last start.
I know the last two years didn’t go the way we wanted it to. This year didn’t go the way I envisioned for myself. But, every fifth day I put the uniform on, it was an honor, I was proud to put the uniform on.
2025 Season Performance and Overcoming Challenges
Gallen entered his contract year in 2025 as one of the most highly regarded free agent pitchers. While he had demonstrated great success in 2022 and 2023 with a combined 3.04 ERA over 394 innings, his 2024 performance showed a mild regression, though he still posted a respectable 3.65 ERA in 148 innings.
However, his 2025 season began unevenly. After an impressive start at Yankee Stadium on April 2, Gallen struggled over the next 15 starts, compiling a 6.05 ERA and finishing July with an overall 5.75 mark. His command faltered, leading to increased home runs and walks, challenges that affected his effectiveness throughout much of the first half of the season.
The Diamondbacks’ underperformance last year was attributed to several issues, including injuries and defensive struggles. These disappointments forced the team to consider selling at the trade deadline. Despite trade interest, the Diamondbacks did not receive an offer they felt justified moving Gallen, leading to his retention.
Gallen rebounded during the final two months of the season, delivering eight quality starts in 11 appearances and improving his ERA to 3.32. He finished the season with 192 innings—the second-highest total of his career—highlighting his stamina and consistency.
Durability and Career Longevity Among MLB Pitchers
Durability has been a defining strength for Gallen, who ranks third in Major League Baseball for innings pitched over the past four seasons, trailing only a select few. In that same timeframe, he is second in wins, behind Framber Valdez, who also became a free agent this offseason. This record underscores Gallen’s reliability as a frontline starter and his value to any rotation.
Zac Gallen to the Diamondbacks on a one-year contract. There are no option years. And there are no incentives in the contract.
— John Gambadoro (@Gambo987) February 14, 2026
Gallen gets about $22M, the QO value https://t.co/i3K6q0LkfM
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) February 14, 2026
The present day value of Zac Gallens contract will come in around $12-13 million for competitive balance purposes.
— John Gambadoro (@Gambo987) February 14, 2026
Gallen gets 1/3 now and 2/3 paid out over 5 years starting in year 6. https://t.co/5uPRzxfqrt
— John Gambadoro (@Gambo987) February 14, 2026
Zac Gallen will be paid roughly $2.8 million per year for 5 years starting in year 6 of this contract.
— John Gambadoro (@Gambo987) February 14, 2026
