The New York Mets have struggled in the second half of the 2025 MLB season, and it hasn't been for a lack of payroll or offense. The team has the talent offensively, and yet, has struggled of late.
A huge reason for the team's struggles in the second half has been the pitching staff, especially in the starting rotation. New York has had to rely on a trio of rookie pitchers in Nolan McLean, Jonah Tong, and Brandon Sproat to make a postseason push in 2025.
To avoid having to rely on such young pitchers, Bob Nightengale of USA Today is urging the Mets to go out this offseason and bring in Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Zac Gallen to join the rotation in New York.
Mets urged to sign Zac Gallen in free agency
"Considering the Mets' rotation mess in which they've had to rely on three rookies who just got called up," Nightengale writes, "Diamondbacks starter Zac Gallen, a New Jersey native, could be the perfect fit for their needs as a free agent."
Gallen has struggled a lot this season, but even then, it's been the tale of two halves for the 30-year-old All-Star. Gallen, through 22 starts in 2025, had a 5.60 ERA in 127 innings pitched. He had a 7-12 record and was in the middle of his worst season as a pro.
Despite that, there were rumors he could be dealt at the trade deadline. Arizona didn't bite at any offers, keeping the veteran starter for the rest of the 2025 season at least. Gallen, in the eight starts since, has been much better.
From the start of August until mid-September, Gallen has a 2.83 ERA in 47.2 innings pitched with a 4-2 record. He's been a much better pitcher in the second half of 2025, which should help him in the free agent market.
Nightengale is urging the Mets to get involved in said free agent market, as their trio of rookie starters isn't something the team should rely on in 2026.
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Gallen, an established veteran with an All-Star nod and two top-five Cy Young finishes on his resume, should be someone the Mets look to add this winter. He'd help ease the burden on the rookies, while also providing a stable presence in the rotation.
This past offseason, the Mets didn't add a ton of talent in the rotation, though they took multiple shots at the dart board. Frankie Montas hasn't worked out, while Sean Manaea and Clay Holmes have also been disappointments.
David Peterson earned an All-Star nod through the first half of the year along with Kodai Senga, but both have struggled in the games since the All-Star break.
The Mets need to add to their starting rotation, and Gallen would be a great option this winter. While teams are going after Ranger Suarez, Framber Valdez, Dylan Cease, and Michael King, the Mets could go after Gallen in the form of a reclamation project after a down 2025 season for the Diamondbacks veteran.
Even if it's a one-year rental, the Mets should strongly consider going after Gallen this offseason. With a dire need in the rotation, Gallen could be a reasonable and realistic option for the Mets to acquire this offseason to bolster their rotation, which has been the main reason for the team's late-season collapse in 2025.
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