This offseason is a crucial one for Braves Country. After dominating the NL East for much of the 2020s, Atlanta now faces renewed competition from division rivals like the Phillies and Mets. GM Alex Anthopoulos knows the team must take action if it hopes to return to the MLB playoffs in 2026.
The front office’s biggest call centers on DH Marcell Ozuna, but beyond that, the Braves are expected to target starting pitching, bullpen reinforcements, and an additional infielder. One MLB insider has even encouraged Atlanta to pursue a contract with Diamondbacks starter Zac Gallen.
Braves to Sign Diamondbacks’ Starter In Free Agency
Zac Gallen had a rough go of things in 2025 with the Arizona Diamondbacks, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t valuable to another organization. He may just need a change of scenery to revitalize his career.
In a recent “Winter Meetings Wish List” article by The Athletic’s Jim Bowden, the MLB insider urges the Braves to sign Zac Gallen to a five-year, $135 million deal:
“Once Gallen joins the Braves, their pitching room immediately makes adjustments with his mechanics and gets him back on track.”
It’s a short explanation as to why the Braves should sign Gallen, but would a chance of his mechanics really make him more effective?
Zac Gallen posted a 4.93 ERA in 192 innings in 2025. When an ERA is that inflated, it’s important to also look at a pitcher’s FIP to see if he was maybe “unlucky”, but Gallen’s FIP in 2025 was 4.50.
His best seasons as a big leaguer came in 2022 and 2023. He was named an All-Star in 2023 (3.47 ERA, 210 innings, 220 K’s). The year prior, Gallen posted a 2.54 ERA over 31 starts. The great thing about signing Zac Gallen would be his durability. He’s made 28+ starts in four straight seasons.
What Would this Signing Mean for Atlanta?
The Atlanta Braves already have a strong 1-2 punch at the top of their rotation in Chris Sale and Spencer Schwellenbach, but they are searching for depth pieces. Gallen has always been a frontline starter, but maybe a role change could be what the doctor ordered for the 30-year-old starter.
However, the $135 million prediction might be a little bit too high a price for the Braves, especially if Gallen would be a No.3/No.4 starter in the rotation.
According to BaseballReference.com, Zac Gallen is projected to post a 4.21 ERA in 171 innings.
Gallen’s big bug-a-boo in 2025 was giving up the long ball. In 192 innings, he gave up 31 home runs (career-high).
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