The Arizona Diamondbacks saw two of their former pitchers hit free agency this winter. Merrill Kelly, though he finished the year with the Texas Rangers, was quickly re-signed by the Diamondbacks on a $40 million, two-year deal.
Zac Gallen is in a completely different boat. He's not signed yet with a team this offseason, and might not be close to such a signing.
Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic revealed that one MLB executive believes that Gallen is the "least attractive" free agent this offseason for one main reason: the qualifying offer.
Zac Gallen is 'least attractive' FA for one reason
"One executive, granted anonymity for his candor, said Gallen might suffer from being one of the least attractive free agents among those who rejected qualifying offers," Rosenthal shared.
Gallen being called one of the least attractive free agents this winter, unfortunately, makes a lot of sense.
The qualifying offer that Gallen declined, which would've paid him $22.25 million in 2026, is a massive deterrent for teams interested in him.
If a club decides to sign Gallen, no matter how much money they'd sign him for, they will have to give up draft pick compensation to do so.
With teams not willing to give up draft pick compensation for the top players in free agency, regardless of how great they are, the Diamondbacks starter is in a much worse spot.
Coming off a rough 2025 season, Gallen doesn't have a lot of interested teams ready to give up draft pick compensation to acquire him.
More: MLB Hot Stove tracker: Live updates on news, rumors, signings and trades for 2025 free agency
If there wasn't a draft pick tied to him, then Gallen might have more action this winter. But the qualifying offer has likely sapped any chance of Gallen getting a good deal this winter.
The 30-year-old is coming off a 4.83 ERA 2025 season, the worst mark of his Major League career. Not only is he coming off a rough season, but he would cost a team a draft pick if they signed him.
While his 3.32 ERA in his last 11 starts is one reason to be optimistic about him, the overall outlook for Gallen this winter is far from ideal.
Most teams won't want to give up a draft pick to sign a shaky pitcher. He will eventually sign somewhere, but for now, the Diamondbacks veteran isn't a likely hot commodity this winter.
The MLB executive calling him "one of the least attractive" free agents might be harsh, but it's the bitter reality for Gallen this winter. Simply put, Gallen isn't topping any team's free agent list this offseason.
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