Currently, the best launcher available on the market is Framber Valdez. Even if the Astros submitted a qualifying offer (he said no to the qualifying offer of around $22 million), that shouldn’t slow down his market too much.
Yes, its market is slower than we thought. But it’s probably more because the guy is a bad sparrow.
The other player who received a qualifying offer and who is still available is Zac Gallen. The pitcher is free as air, but his more difficult performances in recent years work against him.
In fact, some teams might want to offer him a short contract (with exit options) for the future. But giving a draft pick to the DBacks (a player attached to a qualifying offer costs his new club a pick) for Gallen is not attractive.
So currently, Gallen’s hands are tied. He risks returning to Arizona at a lower price than the qualifying offer, in order to rebuild his value for the future.
He may have finished the season better, but still: the Diamondbacks know they have control over the player. They also know that time is running out for him, with camp approaching.
We may hear that the Cubs and Orioles are in the mix, but I can’t see these teams signing Gallen and giving the Arizona club a choice for uncertainty on the mound. It doesn’t work, in my eyes.
We’ll see what awaits him.
- Respect to the Yankees, who publicly defend their club.
- Additions to the World Classic.
- Who will have to give a lot in 2026?
