Zac Gallen Rejoins Diamondbacks Late in Free Agency
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Zach Gallen Re-Signs with the Arizona Diamondbacks
In a notable decision late in the preseason, Zach Gallen re-signed with the Arizona Diamondbacks for a one-year, $22 million deal after initially declining a qualifying offer. Gallen’s decision came just days before full squad workouts, culminating a notable song and dance in the offseason, where it also emerged that both he and fellow pitcher Merrill Kelly passed up longer and potentially more lucrative offers from other teams to stay with Arizona. This move sets a firm path for the Diamondbacks, signaling a commitment to "run it back" with a pitching staff that includes Kelly, who is designated to start on opening day.
This re-signing aligns with the Diamondbacks’ broader strategy. Despite trading Kelly before the deadline and then bringing him back, they managed to secure both Kelly's and Gallen's commitments at what seems like a quite affordable price point given the circumstances. This is particularly significant given their existing starting rotation uncertainties. Arizona now appears to have built a rotation that, while not the strongest in Major League Baseball, provides enough depth and quality to support an offensive-driven team ethos. The returns of Gallen and Kelly bolster a rotation that also features promising talents like Ryan Nelson and Brandon Fott.
While discussing the challenges of pitching in Arizona, it was noted the environment could contribute to unusual game dynamics. Chase Field, known for its capacity to generate high amounts of extra-base hits including doubles and triples, poses a significant challenge. Historic examples and pitcher insights highlight the difficulty of maintaining consistent performance in such a climate. However, both Gallen and Kelly have previously demonstrated their capacity to adapt and succeed in these challenging conditions, further justifying the Diamondbacks’ decision to invest in familiar talents.
In addition, Gallen's performance improvement in the latter half of the season, from an ERA of 5.40 to 3.97, reinforces the team’s strategy. The return of AJ Puck and other reinforcements in the second half of the season could provide additional depth, offering the Diamondbacks further tactical flexibility as they navigate the competitive landscape of MLB.
