The New York Yankees are in urgent need of pitching additions, both in the starting rotation and bullpen, as the trade deadline approaches. With limited options for a straightforward elite starter acquisition, the team may have to explore creative alternatives. Former MLB general manager Jim Bowden recently suggested that Zac Gallen, a starter for the Arizona Diamondbacks, could be a viable target for the Yankees.
Matt Blake’s Role in Revitalizing Pitchers
Bowden highlighted the potential for pitching coach Matt Blake to revive Gallen’s performance, stating,
This could be a nice project for Matt Blake,
while discussing the pitcher’s possible move to New York. Blake has a proven history of improving struggling pitchers, having transformed reliever Clay Holmes from a failed candidate in Pittsburgh into an All-Star closer. Similarly, Luke Weaver has shown effectiveness this season after moving through three teams in 2023 under Blake’s guidance.
Zac Gallen’s Mixed Performance and Local Ties
This season, Gallen, 29, has posted a 7–12 record with a 5.60 ERA over 22 starts, reflecting inconsistency. Despite these struggles, he has demonstrated flashes of his previous strong form and maintains a solid career resume. Notably, Gallen is a New Jersey native, and he has performed well in New York this year, pitching 13 shutout innings in two starts across the Bronx and Queens while striking out 18 batters combined.
Trade Feasibility and Potential Challenges
Gallen has been linked to the Yankees before, and his local background could make the transition smoother. His $13.5 million salary for the current season and free-agent status after 2025 position him as a manageable rental option. However, concerns persist regarding his decline in strikeout rate alongside an increase in walks and opponents’ ability to barrel his pitches more frequently.
If the Diamondbacks decide to enter selling mode, Gallen represents a reasonable risk-reward choice for the Yankees, especially if they trust in Blake’s ability to help the pitcher regain form. The uncertainty surrounding Gallen’s fixability means the move could either pay off handsomely or fail, but such gambles have been part of the Yankees’ strategy in recent years.
Implications for the Yankees Leading Into the Trade Deadline
The decision to pursue Zac Gallen underscores the Yankees’ willingness to take calculated risks on pitchers who have experienced recent difficulties but show underlying potential. If Blake succeeds with Gallen as he has with Holmes and Weaver, it could strengthen the Yankees’ pitching staff significantly before the postseason stretch. With the trade deadline approaching, this possible acquisition will be watched closely by the organization and its fans eager for pitching solutions.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Why do they call Zac Gallen the milk man?
A. Fans call Gallen “The Milkman” because he consistently performs well. On Thursday, he provided essential milk to St. Mary’s Food Bank. Gallen collaborated with the food bank to donate 2,300 gallons of milk from Shamrock Farms, a local business.