The Arizona Diamondbacks chose not to trade pitcher Zac Gallen during the recent MLB Trade Deadline, surprising many given the team’s active trading period. With various franchise moves occurring, including sending players such as Josh Naylor and Eugenio Suárez to the Mariners and Randal Grichuk to the Royals, the decision to keep Gallen stands out.
While the Diamondbacks traded right-hander Merrill Kelly to the Texas Rangers, and moved Shelby Miller along with Jordan Montgomery to the Milwaukee Brewers for salary relief, Gallen remained with the team. Interest from the Boston Red Sox in both Gallen and Kelly did not result in any trades involving Gallen.
General Manager Mike Hazen Explains Why Zac Gallen Was Not Moved
Mike Hazen, Arizona’s general manager, expressed surprise at the market dynamics that influenced their choice to hold onto Zac Gallen. He pointed out that several teams unexpectedly became sellers late in the deadline window, impacting trade options significantly.
I think what ended up happening, honestly… is there seemed to be a few teams that dropped out here at the last minute, meaning the last few days, that became sellers. And I think that had a material impact on the market,
Hazen said.
We had a decent amount of teams interested, as you can imagine. … there wasn’t much there in terms of what we would be willing to do, make a trade
Hazen explained that the Diamondbacks communicated clearly with potential trade partners about the value they saw in Gallen, which included the compensation draft pick Arizona would gain should he decline a qualifying offer after 2025. This draft pick added significant trade leverage that offers had to exceed.
We told teams that, ‘you’re going to have to clear a bar. There’s a value here for us that we have in holding him,’ and it just didn’t happen,
Hazen added.
Zac Gallen’s Performance and Role in Arizona’s Recent History
Zac Gallen has been a core figure for the Diamondbacks, particularly during their unexpected 2023 World Series appearance. He was a leading pitcher through happier times for the franchise, including a standout 2023 season where he started the All-Star Game and finished third in National League Cy Young Award voting.
However, Gallen’s recent performance has been disappointing. Through 22 starts and 127 innings in the current season, he has posted a 5.60 ERA, ranking as one of the worst among qualified MLB pitchers. Issues with fastball command and overall inconsistency have affected his value on the mound.
Although there were moments when Gallen showed potential signs of improvement, he never fully regained his earlier form, which contributed to Arizona entering the deadline as sellers rather than buyers.
Despite struggles, Gallen still possesses the raw talent of a skilled major league pitcher. Some believed a trade to a new team could reignite his performance, but that opportunity did not materialize as the Diamondbacks opted to keep him.
From 2020 through 2025, Gallen posted a 3.67 ERA and accumulated close to 16 WAR (Wins Above Replacement), underscoring his previous value as a leading Diamondbacks starter.
What Retaining Zac Gallen Means for the Diamondbacks
By holding onto Zac Gallen, the Diamondbacks retain a player with proven past success, but also carry risk given his recent decline. The team’s decision reflects a bet on potential recovery or compensation value rather than selling him in a less favorable market.
Arizona’s boldness in trading other key pitchers like Merrill Kelly while keeping Gallen suggests the front office is carefully weighing the long-term benefits of his presence against immediate returns. With Gallen under contract through 2025 and possible qualifying offer status, he remains a central figure in the Diamondbacks’ roster strategy moving forward.
The team‘s next steps will likely focus on helping Gallen return to form or leveraging his value strategically before he reaches free agency. How successful the Diamondbacks are at navigating this uncertain phase could significantly impact their competitive trajectory.