The Arizona Diamondbacks are looking to return to October baseball after missing the postseason last year despite an 89-win campaign.
Two seasons ago, Arizona made their unexpected World Series run, and they’re positioning themselves for another playoff push. The front office made key moves this offseason, adding former National League Cy Young winner Corbin Burnes and trading for first baseman Josh Naylor from the Cleveland Guardians to replace Christian Walker, who departed for the Houston Astros.
With Burnes joining the staff, Arizona now features one of the strong rotations in the National League. The group includes ace Zac Gallen, reliable veteran Merrill Kelly, and Eduardo Rodriguez — though Rodriguez was limited to just 10 starts last season due to a shoulder issue.
Arizona’s offense was productive last season, leading baseball with 886 runs scored — and that’s with 2023 National League Rookie of the Year Corbin Carroll working through difficulties in the first half.
While the Diamondbacks are expected to be playoff contenders, a respected MLB insider has revealed an interesting possibility: if things don’t go as planned, Arizona might consider trading one of their key pitchers.
MLB insider wouldn’t be surprised if Arizona Diamondbacks put former All-Star on trade block
In a recent column, ESPN’s Buster Olney reports that the Diamondbacks “could end up feeding the trade market” by making Gallen available at the deadline if they drift out of contention.
Olney’s rationale centers on Gallen’s contract situation — he’ll hit free agency this fall, meaning Arizona could recoup value rather than potentially losing him for only draft pick compensation if he rejects a qualifying offer.
“One or more National League West teams could end up feeding the trade market. The Padres enter this season with high expectations after nearly knocking out the Los Angeles Dodgers last summer, but if San Diego drifts behind in the playoff race, it holds two of the best impending free agents, Dylan Cease and former Yankee Michael King. Similarly, the San Francisco Giants have veteran Robbie Ray, who is under contract for $25 million this year and next, and the Arizona Diamondbacks’ Zac Gallen will become eligible for free agency in the fall,” Olney reports.
Gallen, who earned All-Star honors in 2023, has established himself as one of the National League’s premier arms over the past three seasons. Between 2022 and 2024, his ERA has consistently ranged between 2.54 and 3.65, with his ERA+ fluctuating from 115 to an outstanding 158. He’s finished in the top five of NL Cy Young voting twice during this stretch.
His 2024 performance featured a 25.1% strikeout rate while inducing ground balls at an impressive 46.2% clip.
If the Diamondbacks unexpectedly place Gallen on the trade block during another stellar season, they could command a significant prospect haul despite his rental status. Several contenders would undoubtedly line up for a pitcher of Gallen’s caliber, with the Baltimore Orioles and both New York clubs — the Yankees and Mets — standing out as potential suitors.
