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6 hours ago
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The Chicago Cubs have a clear need to address by the time the trade deadline comes around. They need more starting pitching. With Justin Steele done for the year, Javier Assad a ways away from returning, and Shota Imanaga banged up, the Cubs need to add a new starting pitcher.
For this trade idea, the Cubs call up the Arizona Diamondbacks for starting pitcher Zac Gallen. After staff ace Corbin Burnes suffered a season-ending injury that will result in Tommy John surgery, according to Jeff Passan, the Diamondbacks will be open to moving their assets.
Gallen is in the final year of his current deal, and will be a free agent for the 2026 season. The return for Gallen in this trade idea costs the Cubs top-ten prospects right-handed pitchers Brandon Birdsell and Jaxon Wiggins.
Birdsell is the Cubs seventh ranked prospect, while Wiggins is the team's ninth ranked prospect. Sending both pitchers to Arizona should be more than enough for a rental of Gallen. It even might be too much, as Gallen has struggled in 2025.
Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Zac Gallen (23) throws against the Atlanta Braves in the third inning at Truist Park.
Brett Davis-Imagn Images
Gallen, in his seventh season in the big leagues, is having a down year. Through the first 13 games of the season for Gallen, he has a 5.13 ERA and a 4-7 record. In 73.2 innings, Gallen has allowed 65 hits, 42 earned runs, and 11 home runs. He's struck out 70 batters, and walked a National League leading 33 batters.
His 2025 season so far is a far-cry from the previous three years of work in Arizona. From 2022 to 2024, Gallen has a 3.20 ERA in 93 games with 43 wins and 19 losses. He struck out 568 batters, walked 148, and has an ERA+ of 131.
In that time-span, Gallen was an All-Star in 2023, and earned Cy Young votes, ranking fifth in 2022 and third in 2023. Gallen's production in 2025 hasn't matched his past three seasons, but he should still have that capacity in him.
Gallen turns 30 in August, and becomes a free agent after the season. The veteran right-hander is in the final year of his current deal, and is making $13.5 million. This trade idea adds Gallen to the Cubs rotation, plugging a hole that was left wide-open following Steeles season-ending injury early in the year.
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