Cubs Still Trying to Sign a Free Agent Starting Pitcher
Ironic, right? The Cubs have no issue going over the luxury tax, which they shouldn’t ever really be that worried about, and now they’re still being linked to a somewhat top free agent starting pitcher. Yet, fans aren’t exactly enthused about the fit. It’s kind of weird at this point and while it’s a good thing to keep adding talent, especially guys with success in their careers, Zac Gallen has been trending in the wrong direction for a few years.
Gallen should be very familiar to Cubs fans as the right-handed pitcher was a trade target back at the deadline and his name reappeared in Cubs’ rumors as free agency picked up in December. You’ll probably remember that heading into the Winter Meetings, USA Today’s Bob Nightengale erroneously reported that the Cubs were actually close to signing Gallen to a multi-year contract. That was almost immediately refuted by other outlets and well obviously there was never an agreement between Gallen and the two sides,
Since then, the Cubs were involved with Japanese free agent Tatsuya Imai, but ultimately were the runner up for him behind the Houston Astros. Following that pursuit the Cubs pivoted to the trade market and acquired Edward Cabrera. A few days later Jed Hoyer flexed the team’s payroll advantage and signed Alex Bregman and apparently the Cubs are still trying to add more MLB talent.
Last week Hoyer alluded to not being done, but following the Cabrera and Bregman moves, it didn’t really seem like this team would be targeting anyone of major significance.
On Monday, Bruce Levine dropped a meaty rumor on 670 The Score, reporting that the Cubs continue to have discussions with Scott Boras about Gallen, who remains available in free agency.
“The Cubs and Scott Boras have continued talks about Zac Gallen becoming a Chicago Cub. Those talks are ongoing. My reporting is the possibility is that it’ll be a shorter-term type contract.”
The argument against bringing in Gallen is plain and simple, he was really bad in 2025, and has been declining the past few years. His numbers across the board were ugly with the Arizona Diamondbacks last season as Gallen recorded a 4.83 ERA, 4.50 FIP and 4.12 xFIP. His strikeout rate dropped to 21.5% from 25.1% in 2024, while Gallen’s home run rate skyrocketed to 1.45 HR/9, as the right-hander gave up 31 home runs in 192 innings.
On the flip side, maybe the Cubs can sign Gallen to a somewhat modest contract that can become a bargain for them in the future. Gallen is only 30-years-old and prior to 2025, he was pretty damn good. I mean, from 2019-2023, he had a strikeout rate of 26.9% and posted a 3.21 ERA across those five seasons. Gallen was still good in 2024, when he had a 3.65 ERA in 28 starts with a 25.1 K%.
Plus, there’s the silver lining to Gallen’s 2025 season as he was able to finish off the year on a high. The right-handed pitcher recorded a 3.32 ERA in his final 11 starts that covered 65 innings of work.
You always need more pitching and Gallen has certainly pitched to an elite level at times throughout his career, so it’s not like the Cubs are taking a flyer on a project. Yes, the team has to make adjustments to Gallen’s game after his down year, but the pieces are there to potentially get him back on track, including a potential reunion with catcher Carson Kelly, who has caught Gallen at his best.
However, the Cubs have 10+ starting pitchers already on their depth chart heading into the 2026 season, so would allocating more money on another starter make sense? I wouldn’t necessarily hate a Gallen signing, but I wouldn’t be overly excited about it either.
Ultimately, it may come down to the Cubs being able to sign Gallen to a contract that doesn’t really break the bank. You know he wants to re-establish his value after a down year, but there’s no way the Cubs give up their second highest draft pick and IFA signing bonus money for only one season of Gallen. So, if the Cubs do get him, then I’d expect a contract that guarantees Gallen pitching for the Cubs for at least two years and then he’ll have the chance to opt out.
We’ll see. Hey, as much as I preferred other free agent targets earlier in the offseason, I’m glad the Cubs aren’t stopping in pursuit of upgrading the team. Could Gallen still be bad? Sure, but that’s the type risks teams like the Cubs can and should be able to afford. This is what we’ve wanted from the Cubs for a long time and if Levine’s report is true, then they’re acting like the big-market team that they are.