The Boston Red Sox find themselves at a critical juncture as their pitching rotation struggles to deliver this season, raising concerns about their chances to secure a wild card berth. Despite setbacks, the team remains only 2.5 games behind the playoff spot, and with Alex Bregman’s expected return, Boston is exploring moves such as acquiring Zac Gallen to reinforce their rotation and ignite a late-season run.
Evaluating Zac Gallen as a Potential Trade Acquisition
Facing continued difficulties on the mound beyond the bright spot provided by Garrett Crochet, the Red Sox are considering high-risk alternatives, including a potential trade for Arizona Diamondbacks’ right-hander Zac Gallen. Once regarded as a frontline talent, Gallen’s current season has been marked by inconsistency and a disappointing 5.45 ERA, making him a gamble at this crucial stage. As his free agency approaches, Boston’s interest hinges on the belief that they can revitalize his performance.
Stephen Parello from FanSided has argued that the Red Sox could leverage Gallen’s declining season to negotiate a cost-effective contract extension upon acquisition. This approach would allow the team to take advantage of Gallen’s prior success while managing financial risk, potentially turning a struggling pitcher into a valuable asset.
Gallen’s Past Success Suggests Untapped Potential
Zac Gallen’s track record includes finishing among the top five in National League Cy Young Award voting in both 2022 and 2023, along with an All-Star appearance last year. Over that time, he maintained an impressive 3.20 ERA, demonstrating his ability as a reliable frontline starter. If he can rebound to that form, Boston would gain a critical upgrade to a rotation currently lacking in consistency and depth.
Critical Decisions as Red Sox Aim for Postseason
As the regular season nears its end, the urgency to address pitching flaws intensifies for Boston. Staying within striking distance of a wild card spot is possible, but the team’s ability to clinch a postseason berth depends on shoring up their rotation. Targeting Zac Gallen could be the bold move that pushes the Red Sox back into contention, turning a risky bet into a vital piece of their playoff puzzle. The upcoming weeks will be decisive as the organization weighs the potential reward against the gamble of acquiring a pitcher currently underperforming.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. What happened to Zac Gallen?
A. On May 31, the Diamondbacks put Gallen on the 15-day injured list because he hurt his right hamstring. He came back on June 29 and pitched six scoreless innings against the Oakland Athletics, giving up just one hit. This was the fifth time in his career he pitched six or more innings with one or fewer hits, and the second time he did this in 2024.
Q. Why do they call Zac Gallen the milk man?
A. Fans call Gallen “The Milkman” because he always comes through. On Thursday, he made an important milk delivery to St. Mary’s Food Bank. He worked with the food bank to give 2,300 gallons of milk from Shamrock Farms, a local business.
Q. What does Zac Gallen throw?
A. In 2025, they mainly used two types of pitches: a Four-seam Fastball at 93 mph and a Curveball at 81 mph. They also sometimes threw a Changeup at 87 mph, a Slider at 88 mph, and a Cutter at 89 mph. Compared to other right-handed pitchers, their Four-seam Fastball had less sideways movement and had average speed.
Q. Why is Zac Gallen the milk man?
A. In college at North Carolina, Zac Gallen earned the nickname “The Milkman.” This was partly due to his last name and because he was reliable at delivering results.