Zac Gallen declines qualifying offer
This was not particularly a shock, but Gallen opted to turn down the qualifying offer, at just a hair over $22 million, which would have given him a one-year contract with the D-backs for 2026. He’s now
a free agent, and can sign with any team – including the Diamondbacks. However, if he signs anywhere else, Arizona will get a bonus draft pick. If Gallen’s contract is for more than $50 million in total (and all players who declined a QO did get more than that last year), then the team will receive a compensation pick after the opening round of next year’s draft. That will probably be around the 30th overall pick, with some teams losing their first selection.
For what it’s worth, MLB Trade Rumors currently has Gallen ranked as the #15 free agent this winter (and sixth-ranked starting pitcher), with a predicted contract of four years and $80 million. That may seem high for a pitcher who had an ERA+ of 89 this year, but that is thirty point below his career figure. It’s also worth noting that Gallen was considerably better later in the season, posting a 3.32 ERA from August 1 on. Teams will be hoping he can convert that into a better performance going forward. The D-backs, meanwhile, will be hoping he can be converted into a nice, bonus draft pick.
Four prospects protected in Rule 5 draft
Arizona came into the day with 37 players on the 40-man roster, after Cristian Montes de Oca was outrighted off it to the Aces yesterday. They then freed up another space, and added four players to protect them in the Rule 5 draft, which will take place next month.
Designated for assignment:
- LHP Tommy Henry
Added to 40-man roster:
- LHP Mitch Bratt
- LHP Kohl Drake
- INF Jose Fernandez
- RHP Dylan Ray
I was just wondering the other day if Henry might be for the ax. He is now aged 28 years old, has appeared in parts of four major-league seasons, but has a career ERA north of five (5.07, an ERA+ of 84). As Ruurd noted when writing up Henry’s player review over the weekend, in June it was announced that Henry would require elbow surgery. That means, even if Tommy was to make a full recovery, he would be unlikely to take the mound in the majors until the rump end of the 2026 season, if at all. Given this, cutting bait is wise, and I imagine the odds are good he will go unclaimed and be outrighted off the roster.
As suspected, Bratt and Drake were obvious additions, both being in our top ten prospects, per MLB Pipeline. Both men also came over from the Texas Rangers in the deal for Merrill Kelly, so form an important part of building our pitching depth [let’s face it, the team has not been good at developing their own pitchers for years now] Fernandez and Ray are both ranked outside the top 30. The former is not to be confused with Johan Jose Fernandez, another prospect in the AZ system. I say this, because I just did, and wondered why we needed to protect an 18-year-old who hadn’t played outside the team’s complex in the Dominican Republic.
The correct Jose Fernandez batted .272 with a .775 OPS at Double-A Amarillo this year. those are decent numbers considering it was his age 21 season, making him young for his level. The Venezuelan right-handed hitter was mostly a shortstop, but saw some time on the corner infield as well. Ray was originally a fourth-round pick in 2022, and split time this year between Amarillo and Triple-A Reno. He made eighteen starts for the Aces with a 6.30 ERA. That is, of course, inflated by the PCL, and it’s also worth noting Ray is still only 24, so is also young for the level. I’d not expect him to crack our Opening Day rotation, but we might see him some time in 2026.
