The New York Yankees already have a rotation that looks playoff-ready on paper. Gerrit Cole is back and dealing. Cam Schlittler has been one of the season’s surprises. Carlos Rodon and Ryan Weathers are holding their own. Even with Max Fried on the injured list, the staff isn’t a weak spot.
But contending teams don’t stop shopping. And according to The Athletic’s Jim Bowden, one name that could be available is Diamondbacks right-hander Zac Gallen. Which raises a fair question: Why would the Yankees — or anyone — want a pitcher with a 6.10 ERA?
The case for Gallen (and the case against him)
Gallen isn’t the same guy who started the 2023 All-Star Game for the National League. That version of him struck out 220 batters and posted a 2.54 ERA two years earlier. Last season he slipped to 13-15 with a 4.83 ERA. This year it’s gotten worse: 3-6, 6.10 ERA, and only 52 strikeouts in 79 2/3 innings. That’s not great.
But here’s the thing. Gallen still leads the majors in games started. He’s durable. And he’s convinced himself that some of the damage is bad luck. After a recent start where he gave up 12 hits and nine runs to the Twins, he pointed to the exit velocities. Average exit velo that night was 83 mph. Only three of those hits were hit harder than 93. That’s a lot of soft contact that found holes.
“I felt like in spots when I needed to make a good pitch, I felt like I did,” Gallen told reporters after that game. “Just one of those cases where you maybe tip your cap.”
He’s 30 years old — 31 in August. That’s not ancient for a pitcher, but it’s not young either. The Diamondbacks signed him to a one-year deal this past offseason after he couldn’t find a long-term commitment on the open market. That tells you something about how the league views him right now.
What a trade package might look like
The Yankees aren’t going to gut their farm system for a reclamation project. But a Gallen trade wouldn’t require a headliner prospect. The ask would likely start with someone like Allen Facundo, a 23-year-old left-hander who’s probably two years from the majors. He’s been throwing harder since coming back from Tommy John surgery — hitting 100 mph at times — but MLB.com projects him more as a reliever than a starter. He’s basically a two-pitch guy right now.
From there, you’d add Eric Reyzelman, a 24-year-old righty who could reach the big leagues as soon as this year. His fastball has lost some velocity and life this season, and his sweeper has been inconsistent. But a change of scenery bullpen arm still has value as a secondary piece in a deal like this.
Arizona might push for a third player, maybe a young position player. But Gallen’s current numbers don’t give them a ton of leverage. The Yankees can point to the 6.10 ERA and say, politely, that they’re doing the D-backs a favor by taking on the contract and hoping a new environment unlocks something.
At this point, that’s the bet. Not that Gallen returns to 2022 form. Just that he’s better than what he’s shown this year. For a team with World Series expectations, that might be enough.
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