The Arizona Diamondbacks are not sitting idle this offseason after a competitive 80-82 campaign in 2025. They've been busy, bringing back key players like James McCann and Merrill Kelly on short-term deals, and making exciting additions such as Michael Soroka and Nolan Arenado. However, the departure of Zac Gallen into free agency has left a significant gap in their starting pitching depth, a need that still lingers to some extent.
Re-signing Merrill Kelly after trading him away seemed like a smart move, but the Diamondbacks' current rotation of Kelly, Brandon Pfaadt, Eduardo Rodriguez, Ryne Nelson, and Soroka until Corbin Burnes' return in July, leaves some question marks. The inconsistency of Rodriguez and Pfaadt, Soroka's injury concerns, and a lack of proven depth behind them suggest the team might still be in the market for a starting pitcher.
And this is where Zac Gallen comes back into the picture. He's yet to find a new team since turning down the club's one-year, $22.05 million qualifying offer. While teams like the Baltimore Orioles, San Francisco Giants, and Chicago Cubs are considered top destinations for Gallen, The Athletic's Jim Bowden reports that the Diamondbacks are still very much in the running for his services.
The Diamondbacks would love to have Gallen back, and they're considered the frontrunners to re-sign him, which would be a huge boost to their rotation. Gallen, a 2023 All-Star, has a solid track record with the Diamondbacks, posting a 3.61 ERA over seven seasons, but his career-worst 4.83 ERA last season and his tendency to allow home runs (31, tied for fifth-most) are concerns.
But here's where it gets controversial: Jim Bowden ranks Gallen as the second-best overall free agent, a testament to his talent and potential despite the down year. So, who else is out there on the free agent market that could bolster the Diamondbacks' starting pitching?
Right-Handed Pitcher Options:
Lucas Giolito (31): Shortly after Gallen's decision, reports emerged that the Diamondbacks had been in talks with Giolito. He's a nine-year MLB veteran who declined a $19 million mutual option with the Boston Red Sox after a solid 2025 season (3.41 ERA across 26 starts). The main concern is his recent injury history, missing the entire 2024 season due to elbow surgery and being unavailable for the Wild Card series in 2025. Despite this, Bowden still lists Arizona as a potential suitor for the sixth-best overall free agent.
Chris Bassitt (36): If the Diamondbacks are looking for a cost-effective option to bolster their back-end rotation, Bassitt could be a great fit. He's coming off an impressive 11th season in the majors, posting a 3.96 ERA in 170.1 innings for the Toronto Blue Jays, including a stellar 1.04 ERA in 8.2 postseason innings out of the bullpen. Despite his age and mileage, Bassitt has consistently made over 25 starts and kept his ERA below 4.16 since 2018. While top contenders are the favorites, his projected two-year, $32 million contract makes him an attractive option for the Diamondbacks.
Max Scherzer (41): How about a reunion with a former Diamondback? Scherzer, who played two seasons (2008-09) with Arizona, has an incredible Hall of Fame resume after 18 seasons, but he's not ready to hang up his cleats just yet. While his 2025 season with the Blue Jays was his worst (5.19 ERA in 17 starts), his performance in the ALCS Game 4 (5.2 innings, 2 runs allowed, win) shows he still has something to offer. Bringing back Scherzer could provide Arizona with a seasoned veteran who brings value both on and off the field.
So, Diamondbacks fans, who would you like to see the team pursue? Are you hoping for a Gallen reunion, or are you excited about the potential of Giolito or Bassitt? And what about a reunion with the legendary Max Scherzer? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
