After getting their way by signing Cody Bellinger after several attempts this offseason, the Yankees no longer need to spend more money on the lineup. Without that urgency and with the checkbook in small figures, the team is focusing its attention on the starting rotation and there is a target in sight.
Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodon will miss the start of the 2026 season, so the Bronx Bombers will be without two of their star starters. Max Fried is the only proven frontline arm immediately available, so they need a player in that position
Bellinger’s signing clarified the roles in the outfield and reduced the need to look for more players in his position. His signing allows the focus to be on a strong, regular arm that can handle the responsibility of carrying the starting package for the season, something that rookie pitchers are not considered for, because they lack experience and character for such a scenario.
Zac Gallen, the ideal free agent
This is where Zac Gallen’s free agency becomes central to the Yankees’ plans. The Diamondbacks pitcher represents a combination of durability, experience and projection in a market that offers few reliable alternatives. For a rotation facing weaknesses like New York’s, his qualities matter.
While it’s true that his numbers last season raise doubts, his 4.83 ERA was the highest of his career and caused mixed evaluations of his value around the league. He made all 33 scheduled starts and pitched 192 innings. He’s a solid, all-around guy.
Gallen rejected a qualifying offer from the Arizona Diamondbacks and his free agent market has cooled. Concerns about draft compensation and bias over recent performance have tempered aggressive offers, creating an opportunity for a short-term or incentive-based contract. That structure fits the Yankees’ current needs, as it provides immediate stability without long-term rigidity.
The positive points for the Yankees to go for Zac Gallen
His addition would also bring structural benefits beyond his individual performance. Cole and Rodon would have more time to recover without the pressure of accelerating their timelines. Fried would fit into a more balanced role rather than having to carry the rotation on his own
There is also a long-term logic. Gallen has three top-10 finishes in Cy Young voting and a lifetime ERA well below four. His effectiveness is based on control, pitch sequencing and adaptability, rather than pure velocity. That profile tends to age more favorably and reduces volatility over time. Even a partial return to his best would offer great value.
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