There’s no question the San Francisco Giants need to bolster their pitching staff, particularly by finding a reliable arm to pair with ace Logan Webb at the top of the rotation. While the dream scenario would be to land Japanese superstar Tatsuya Imai, recent reports suggest the team may instead focus on more affordable options to strengthen their roster. Fortunately for San Francisco, several cost-effective pitchers are available on the open market this offseason.
Among the potential fits, one name stands out as especially logical for the Giants: Zac Gallen. The talented right-hander brings frontline ability without the massive financial commitment that would accompany elite international signings. Gallen has demonstrated consistency, durability, and the kind of competitive edge that could immediately elevate San Francisco’s rotation.
His profile aligns well with what the Giants need—an established pitcher capable of delivering quality innings, easing the load on Webb, and stabilizing a staff that struggled with depth and reliability in previous seasons.
With their stated desire to improve the pitching corps and stay mindful of costs, pursuing Gallen represents a sensible, strategic approach. Adding a dependable arm like his could significantly improve the Giants’ chances of contending in a tough National League landscape.
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Zac Gallen’s decision to decline the qualifying offer caught many around the league off guard. For a pitcher coming off a difficult year, accepting the one-year guarantee seemed like the more predictable move. Yet, when you step back and consider the broader landscape of Major League Baseball — particularly the looming uncertainties attached to the next collective bargaining agreement — his choice starts to feel far more strategic.
From Gallen’s perspective, this may have been the best opportunity to secure long-term financial stability before the new CBA potentially reshapes the market and the way future contracts are structured. Players place immense value on knowing not only their compensation but also the environment they will compete in for the next several seasons. Once negotiations settle, Gallen would prefer to have a guaranteed home rather than entering another period of offseason unpredictability.
Interestingly, the ripple effect of his decision might ultimately benefit the San Francisco Giants. If the Giants seriously pursue Gallen, the final terms of such a deal may end up being significantly more affordable than they would have been even a season or two earlier.
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The combination of his down year, the Diamondbacks’ struggles, and the general volatility of the pitching market could intersect in a way that makes Gallen a cost-effective target — something the Giants’ front office appears increasingly prioritizing as they weigh their spending options.
There’s no denying that both Gallen and the Diamondbacks endured a frustrating season. Arizona entered the year with high expectations after recent postseason success, but the pitching staff proved to be its undoing, and Gallen, typically the anchor of that rotation, wasn’t immune to the slide. He delivered the most difficult campaign of his career, statistically speaking. His ERA ballooned to 4.83 — the highest he has ever posted — and he allowed 103 earned runs, far more than in any previous season.
His walk total climbed to 66, and he surrendered 31 home runs, another career worst. Even his WHIP landed at 1.26, marking the third time he has finished at that plateau, an indication that too many baserunners reached safely throughout the year. Command issues nagged him consistently, and hitters capitalized by making authoritative contact far more often than usual.
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For a pitcher who has built his reputation on precision, intelligence, and the ability to suppress damage, seeing such numbers attached to his name felt jarring. Since being acquired from the Miami Marlins, Gallen has served as one of Arizona’s most reliable and consistent performers, a stabilizing force who could be counted on to give the team competitive outings start after start.
That reliability made his 2025 downturn even more puzzling. But despite the discouraging statistics, there remains a legitimate foundation for optimism — especially for a team like the Giants, who could use a rebound candidate with a track record of excellence.
To understand why optimism persists, you only have to look at Gallen’s previous body of work. The 2025 season stands out not because it signals a decline in talent, but because it diverges so sharply from his established performance levels. Between 2022 and 2024, Gallen delivered ERA marks of 2.54, 3.47, and 3.65 — strong, consistent numbers that placed him among the more dependable starters in the National League.
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His FIP across those seasons supported the legitimacy of that success, demonstrating that his underlying metrics largely aligned with his results and weren’t the product of unusual luck or defensive anomalies. A pitcher who puts together that sustained level of excellence doesn’t suddenly lose all ability unless an injury or a dramatic mechanical regression is involved, and in Gallen’s case, the root problems appear to be far more fixable.
Throughout the season, those who watched the Diamondbacks closely noticed Gallen experimenting with adjustments designed to address his declining command and the increase in hard contact. These tweaks, though sometimes subtle, eventually began to show encouraging returns.
Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo maintained steadfast belief in Gallen even during the lowest points of the year, repeatedly expressing confidence that the right-hander would rediscover the feel and rhythm that had defined his earlier seasons. Lovullo’s trust wasn’t blind — it was rooted in years of seeing Gallen adapt and overcome obstacles. As the manager explained, Gallen was simply too talented and too dedicated to remain stuck in a slump indefinitely.
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That turning point finally materialized late in the season, and it wasn’t merely a matter of improved confidence — it was tied to a specific pitch adjustment. According to Lovullo, Gallen’s enhanced reliance on his two-seam fastball helped unlock the next stage of his rebound. By incorporating the two-seamer more frequently, he opened up new pathways within the strike zone, giving hitters an additional movement profile to consider.
The pitch allowed him to generate weaker contact and attack areas of the plate that had previously been vulnerabilities. Lovullo praised both the effectiveness of the pitch and Gallen’s execution, emphasizing that this adjustment elevated his performance to a much higher level.
The statistical output during this stretch backs up that assessment. Starting in August and continuing through the final month of the season, Gallen looked far more like the version of himself Arizona had relied upon in years past. Over that period, he posted a 3.32 ERA along with a 3.34 FIP and a 1.08 WHIP, showing a return to sharper command, better sequencing, and more consistent bat-missing ability.
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His confidence on the mound was noticeably different, and the results reflected the progress. This strong finish doesn’t erase the struggles that came earlier, but it does suggest that the underlying issues were addressed rather than ignored. For teams evaluating potential free-agent fits, that late-season resurgence matters — especially for clubs seeking value opportunities.
If Gallen were to join the Giants, the environment alone could accelerate his return to form. Oracle Park’s pitcher-friendly dimensions have aided countless arms over the years, making it one of the most forgiving home fields in the league.
Pair that with the Giants’ defense — which has improved in several key metrics — and the organizational emphasis on maximizing pitcher strengths, and Gallen could find a much more hospitable setting than the hitter-leaning ballparks he often pitched in within the NL West. Pitchers who rely on command and weak contact frequently benefit from San Francisco’s conditions, and Gallen fits that profile exceptionally well.
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The financial component only strengthens the argument for pursuing him. Spotrac currently projects his market value at approximately four years and $79.4 million. When compared to the staggering figures expected for top international free agents such as Tatsuya Imai, whose contract could easily range from $100 to $200 million, the appeal of Gallen becomes obvious.
The Giants have appeared cautious about massive long-term commitments under their current front-office philosophy. A deal like Gallen’s — substantial but not franchise-altering — fits the model of adding talent without constraining future flexibility.
In terms of roster construction, adding Gallen would provide precisely the type of support San Francisco needs behind ace Logan Webb. Webb carries the bulk of responsibility atop the rotation, and the Giants have been searching for a dependable co-anchor who can deliver quality innings without commanding a top-of-the-market price.
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Even if Gallen ultimately slots in as the No. 3 starter due to San Francisco’s future acquisitions or internal growth, his presence would dramatically improve the stability of the staff. The Giants would be betting on a rebound from a pitcher with a strong track record, a recent adjustment that has shown real promise, and a price tag that allows them to continue addressing other needs.
Ultimately, Gallen’s difficult year shouldn’t be viewed as a permanent setback but rather a deviation — one that happens even to excellent pitchers.
His late-season turnaround, combined with his history of success, the supportive setting that San Francisco could provide, and the reasonable financial expectations attached to his next contract, all point toward a compelling fit. For the Giants, signing him would offer both upside and affordability. For Gallen, it would represent a chance to reestablish himself in an environment tailored to his strengths.
If both sides decide to move forward, the partnership could prove mutually beneficial, giving the Giants a high-level rotation piece while offering Gallen the stability and platform he’s seeking as he turns the page on a challenging season.
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