Bob Nightengale was a guest on “Foul Territory” as the crew asked for his thoughts on the upcoming trade deadline. With only speculation so far, the Arizona Diamondbacks could be in the market to trade one of their star pitchers. Seeing as the team is 7.5 games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers, they’re still in the running but have their work cut out for them, to say the least.
Zac Gallen Could Be Traded at the Deadline
Under a one-year, $13.5 million deal (his final season of arbitration), Gallen is 4-8 with a 5.15 ERA. He’s just 1-3 in his last four starts, having given up 14 earned runs in those appearances. Even though he’s able to pitch five or more innings consistently, the 29-year-old’s numbers have continued to decline each season since 2023.
Zac Gallen could be the biggest name moved at this year’s trade deadline, says @BNightengale. pic.twitter.com/AI4GMiSJYk
— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) June 9, 2025
“It could be Zac Gallen. It really could” Nightengale said in response to the biggest name traded this year. “You’re going to get more for Alcantara than you would Gallen, who’s a free agent. I’d put Gallen over Alcantara unless they magically turn it around in Arizona.”
The D-Backs have time to get hot, as their deficit could be far worse. The top of the NL West is as competitive as it’s ever been, with the Dodgers, San Francisco Giants, and San Diego Padres all being within two games of each other. Out of all the teams currently in fourth place, only two other teams have less of a deficit than Arizona.
With plenty of time left in the season, the D-Backs need to ask themselves what they can get in return for Gallen. Nightengale is right, he’s a free agent after all. After this season, there’s no telling as to whether they’d re-sign him or not, so the team could be hopeful for a prospect or someone that can win them games immediately if they’re looking to compete here in 2025.
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The return for Gallen likely won’t be great, as Nightengale pointed out. In comparison to someone like Alcantara, who’s under contract for the next two seasons. Alcantara is also 29, and his numbers don’t look great on paper. His 2-7 record with a 7.89 ERA leaves a lot to be desired, but he’s coming off his best start since April 1.
Gallen has been a reliable member of the Diamondbacks roster dating back to 2019 when he came over from the Miami Marlins. Having gone a combined 43-19 from 2022-2024, it would be tough for Arizona to deal Gallen. Still, it’s a trade that might need to happen whether or not the front office sees the team competing in the next few months.