Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the MLB. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Brewers fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly
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In this week’s Reacts survey, we asked fans which veteran pitcher the Brewers should add during the offseason. The responses gave us one clear answer.
Before I talk a bit more about Zac Gallen, let me just acknowledge that I know plenty of people who believe the Brewers should prioritize maintaining Freddy Peralta (who’s still under contract but is in plenty of trade rumors) and Brandon Woodruff over adding from the outside. This exercise was merely to offer fans the chance to voice an opinion about who the Brewers should add should the team look for outside help.
Now: As I mentioned in the survey article, Gallen is coming off a rough 2025 season, though he’s just a few years removed from a Cy Young finalist year in 2023. Given his recent success and more recent struggles, it wouldn’t surprise me one bit to see him go for a one-year “prove it” deal. At 30 years old, he’s most likely at or past his prime, but he could still command a big contract with a strong 2026 season, a la Blake Snell.
For argument’s sake, let’s take a closer look at Snell’s path.
After a great 2023 season that saw him take home the NL Cy Young Award with the Padres, Snell was unable to get the contract he wanted that offseason, instead taking a shorter two-year deal ($62 million) with the Giants, including an opt out for 2025. He did indeed opt out, and then netted himself a big five-year, $182 million deal ($36.4 million annually) with the Dodgers that will take him through his age 36 season.
Gallen is probably not quite the same caliber as Snell, though he arguably is more consistent than him, as we’ve seen the great and the not-so-great versions of Snell this postseason. Gallen earned $13.5 million to avoid arbitration in 2025, and he’s likely looking at a contract closer to $20 million annually this offseason. If he’s willing to take a one or two-year deal, the Brewers could certainly swing that.
Will the Brewers make a “splashy” pitching move this offseason? Weigh in in the comments!
