Latest news with #ZacGallen
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Blue Jays predicted to swing blockbuster trade for Diamondbacks' $13.5M All-Star
The Toronto Blue Jays have momentum on their side, but they've got to sustain that momentum through the trade deadline. Thanks to Monday night's 4-1 win, the Blue Jays have now built a four-game lead over the New York Yankees in the American League East. But they know the Yankees, last year's World Series runners-up, will be gunning for deadline improvements. For Toronto, one more starting pitcher could be the key to usurping the Yankees' division title. And the market for rentals seems to be heating up. Zac Gallen of the Arizona Diamondbacks is an intriguing fit, because he's a proven All-Star pitcher having a dismal season. But the talent is still there, and perhaps a new team could help turn his year around. On Monday, Steve Perrault of Underdog Fantasy predicted that the Blue Jays would land Gallen at the deadline during a live stream for Bleacher Report. "We've got Zac Gallen going to the Blue Jays," Perrault said. "I can already see him wearing a Jays jersey. I can just picture it. In big games, important games, I can see Zac Gallen in Toronto dealing. Follow The Sporting News On WhatsApp "If you put Zac Gallen in there, ... this is a really good rotation, especially in the American League. You can put this up against other rotations in the AL. Would not be super worried if you're a Blue Jays fan." Gallen's ERA climbed to 5.58 in a loss to the Houston Astros on Monday night, the worst among all qualified starters. He also allowed two more home runs, bringing his National League-leading total to 23. It would be a leap of faith for the Blue Jays to trust Gallen to pitch like his 2023-2024 self the rest of the way. But because their rotation is one good arm away from being elite, that leap of faith might come with a huge payout.
Yahoo
15 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Should the Yankees explore a trade for this slumping ace?
With the Arizona Diamondbacks starting to lag behind in the NL Wild Card race, the New York Yankees could view them as sellers at the upcoming trade deadline. Eugenio Suarez and Merrill Kelly are expected to be coveted veterans at the trade deadline, but Zac Gallen could be someone the Yankees target as well. A perennial Cy Young contender at his peak, the right-hander has taken a massive step back this season, pitching to a 5.15 ERA and 4.76 FIP across 19 starts for the Diamondbacks. His fastball velocity has lagged behind previous seasons, but with New York desperate for rotation help and Gallen being an arm who has pitched at a very high level in his career, could Matt Blake revitalize him? Zac Gallen Presents Interesting Proposition For the Yankees This July It's been a rough season for Zac Gallen, who has his worst Stuff+ score (91) since the metric began being tracked in 2020, as he's seen a steady decline in that stat from 2022-2025. The fastball velocity is trending downward as well, but in his most recent showing against the Padres, we saw the Gallen of old come back to fire six marvelous innings with nine strikeouts and one walk. His fastball looked marvelous, sitting at 94.1 MPH with 18.8 inches of vertical ride, both marks are much better than his statistical averages on the season. If this is a change that sustains itself, the Yankees could be getting a bargain on a pitcher that could slot right into the middle of their rotation, but there's plenty of risk with that kind of strategy. This kind of trade would immediately put pressure on Matt Blake to fix Zac Gallen mid-season with no years of control following the 2025 season. READ MORE: Even the best pitching coaches in the game would struggle with such an assignment, and plenty of organizations will have the same idea at the deadline, potentially driving up the price for Gallen. While some would believe that the price for him would be seriously reduced due to his 5.15 ERA, there's still strong league interest in the right-hander, sources tell Empire Sports Media. The Yankees might have to trade prospects of serious value to outbid other teams with better farm systems, and that would put Brian Cashman in a spot where he'd have to be all-in on Gallen to justify paying that price. With names like Seth Lugo, Merrill Kelly, and Mitch Keller potentially available who have pitched better this season, paying that hefty price might be better-suited for a more stable arm. With Clarke Schmidt's UCL tear, he will be out for all of 2025 and 2026 potentially, and the Yankees will almost certainly need to add to the rotation. Furthermore, their bullpen has become a nightmare, and the Yankees are expected to invest prospect capital into improving that group as they do at nearly every trade deadline. It'll be an active summer for the Bronx Bombers, as Brian Cashman aims to 'go to town' to try and improve a team that had a nightmarish slump. Related Headlines Giants' fan-favorite quarterback is on the brink of being cut Yankees are coughing up $25 million for two players not on the roster Could the Jets make a trade to add a talented WR2 opposite Garrett Wilson? Knicks' Summer League could propel young guard into critical role
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Mets blockbuster trade proposal lands $116 million All-Star pitcher
The New York Mets' starting rotation took a huge blow when Griffin Canning ruptured his Achilles, ending his season. The team could be eyeing starting pitchers as a result. The Mets do have Frankie Montas and Sean Manaea back now, but they may still want to add some insurance to the starting rotation. David Peterson was named an All-Star this season, and Kodai Senga has looked like a star. However, Clay Holmes' innings could become something to monitor, Tylor Megill is on the injured list and Montas has a 5.04 ERA in four starts this year. A healthy rotation of Manaea, Senga, Holmes, Megill and Peterson is a great group. However, the Mets have little reason to believe that group can stay healthy. SNY's Joe DeMayo proposed this trade that would bring Zac Gallen from the Arizona Diamondbacks to the Mets: Mets receive: Zac Gallen Diamondbacks receive: Zach Thornton and Jesus Baez Gallen has been a Cy Young Award candidate and an All-Star in the past. He had a 3.34 ERA in 128 starts from 2020 to 2024. He was also a Cy Young Award candidate three times in that span. This year, he has a 5.40 ERA and will be a free agent after the season. Spotrac projects him to sign a six-year, $116 million deal in free agency, and the Diamondbacks may not want to pay him. Follow The Sporting News On WhatsApp Even in a down year, he could be a solid insurance arm for the Mets. Perhaps a change of scenery could help him get his stuff back to what it was in the past. "I think Gallen will be a popular trade candidate if available, so the price will not be cheap," wrote DeMayo. "Baez is an infielder who has played second, third, and shortstop. He is slashing .251/.343/.398 with nine home runs and 41 RBI across 71 games between St. Lucie and Brooklyn. He shows a propensity to hit the ball hard with natural loft in his swing and has a good plan at the plate, where he has a low strikeout rate to go with an above average walk rate. Baez would be an upside buy for Arizona."
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Former UNC pitcher named amongst ESPN's Top 50 MLB Trade Deadline candidates
Athletes will struggle, even at the professional level. Just ask Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Zac Gallen, the former UNC standout who is mired in the worst season of his MLB career. Gallen, who finished top fiv ive in NL CY Young voting for the 2023 MLB season, currently sports a 7-10 win-loss record with a 5.40 earned run average. Despite striking out 110 batters, good enough for 30th amongst all pitchers, Gallen just gave up six runs in a Saturday loss to the sub-.500 Los Angeles Angels. Sometimes, players just need a change of scenery to rediscover their talent. Such could be the case for Gallen, whom ESPN recently named a Top 50 Trade Deadline Candidate. "Gallen was excellent for the past three seasons but now, in a contract year, is posting career-worst numbers in almost every category," Kiley McDaniel and Jeff Passan wrote. "His stuff looks similar, but he's allowing much more damage when hitters make contact. That said, his strikeout-to-walk ratio is back to normal in his past five starts, at 29-to-5, despite a 6.04 ERA in that span. Diamondbacks general manager Mike Hazen said the team does not plan to deal away players at the deadline, but if Arizona doesn't make a run, it could reap a huge return with all its impending free agents." Arizona is in a comfortable spot itself, sitting at .500 and eight games out of first place in the NL West, with a deficit even closer in the wild card race. I'm sure the Diamondbacks want the former Diamond Heel for their playoff push – and they have until July 31 to decide. Gallen compiled a 14-13 win-loss record at North Carolina, compiling a 3.36 ERA and striking out 231 batters. Gallen was part of Arizona's World Series run in 2023, starting Game 1 as its staff ace, then followed that season up with a 14-6 campaign in 2024. Will Gallen stay put in the desert or join a World Series contender? You'll know by Thursday, July 31, better known as the trade deadline. Follow us @TarHeelsWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions. This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: UNC baseball star Zac Gallen in ESPN's Top 50 MLB Trade Deadline picks
USA Today
2 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Former UNC pitcher named amongst ESPN's Top 50 MLB Trade Deadline candidates
Don't be shocked to see this former Diamond Heel on a new MLB team come August. Athletes will struggle, even at the professional level. Just ask Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Zac Gallen, the former UNC standout who is mired in the worst season of his MLB career. Gallen, who finished top fiv ive in NL CY Young voting for the 2023 MLB season, currently sports a 7-10 win-loss record with a 5.40 earned run average. Despite striking out 110 batters, good enough for 30th amongst all pitchers, Gallen just gave up six runs in a Saturday loss to the sub-.500 Los Angeles Angels. Sometimes, players just need a change of scenery to rediscover their talent. Such could be the case for Gallen, whom ESPN recently named a Top 50 Trade Deadline Candidate. "Gallen was excellent for the past three seasons but now, in a contract year, is posting career-worst numbers in almost every category," Kiley McDaniel and Jeff Passan wrote. "His stuff looks similar, but he's allowing much more damage when hitters make contact. That said, his strikeout-to-walk ratio is back to normal in his past five starts, at 29-to-5, despite a 6.04 ERA in that span. Diamondbacks general manager Mike Hazen said the team does not plan to deal away players at the deadline, but if Arizona doesn't make a run, it could reap a huge return with all its impending free agents." Arizona is in a comfortable spot itself, sitting at .500 and eight games out of first place in the NL West, with a deficit even closer in the wild card race. I'm sure the Diamondbacks want the former Diamond Heel for their playoff push – and they have until July 31 to decide. Gallen compiled a 14-13 win-loss record at North Carolina, compiling a 3.36 ERA and striking out 231 batters. Gallen was part of Arizona's World Series run in 2023, starting Game 1 as its staff ace, then followed that season up with a 14-6 campaign in 2024. Will Gallen stay put in the desert or join a World Series contender? You'll know by Thursday, July 31, better known as the trade deadline. Follow us @TarHeelsWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.
