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Why Did Zac Gallen Take The Same One-Year Deal After Turning Down The Diamondbacks’ QO?
Zac Gallen (Image Credits: Imagn)

Why Did Zac Gallen Take The Same One-Year Deal After Turning Down The Diamondbacks’ QO?

Originally posted on Total Pro Sports
By Paranjoy Goswami  |  Last updated Feb 16, 2026 7:43 AM ET

Zac Gallen was a free agent for the first time in his career after seven seasons with the Arizona Diamondbacks. But the 30-year-old did not attract the level of interest from teams he hoped for after a subpar 2025 campaign. Gallen signed a one-year $22.05 million deal to remain with the D-backs, the exact value of the qualifying offer that he declined from the organization.

On Sunday, Zac Gallen revealed he chose to sign the shorter, less lucrative contract to remain with the Arizona Diamondbacks, as he and his family feel at home with the team. He is happy to take less money to be at the same place where he toiled hard for a long period. The people associated with the D-backs and the identity of the franchise also influenced his decision.

“We knew what probably the opportunity cost was going to be going into free agency if a deal didn’t work out. So we were willing to take that gamble. And I think we got to a point where it was like, ‘Okay, it’s time to cut our losses,'” Zac Gallen said.“We’re fortunate enough to make the amount of money we do already. So I think getting greedy in that sense was kind of silly.”

“All the way down, ownership, management, even coaches, the attitudes and the personalities and the people here. That’s what really draws you in. And the culture here is a culture that, to me, I think, is second to none,” he added. “How much work, time, effort, blood, sweat, tears like that you put into something that draws you back. There’s just something that calls you back here.”

Zac Gallen arrived in Arizona in a trade deal from the Miami Marlins soon after making his MLB debut with the team in 2019. Since then, the right-handed starting pitcher has had three top 10 finishes in the National League Cy Young race.

Zac Gallen Received Long-Term Offers Before Signing With D-Backs


Zac Gallen (Image Credits: Imagn)

Although he remained unsigned until this month, Gallen declared he had long-term offers on the table to choose from. Yet he decided to return to the Arizona Diamondbacks, as he wanted another chance at heading into free agency with a strong campaign. Gallen says it adds extra inspiration to deliver another solid season for the D-backs.

“We did have multi-year offers out there, which was nice from the security standpoint. But I felt like I’ve always kind of bet on myself,” Zac Gallen said. “I think I felt like I owed it to myself, owed it to my family, and even owed it to the organization and the fans here to come back, have a good year, and kind of prove my worth again and get that little added extra motivation.”

Zac Gallen was an All-Star in 2023 and finished third for the NL Cy Young Award. But his last two seasons did not reach the same heights. He still posted 192.0 innings over 33 starts but ended the year on a 13-15 record with a 4.83 ERA.

This article first appeared on Total Pro Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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