Padres could eye under-the-radar starting pitcher from ex-division rival this offseason

Free agency is now entering full swing, as players are beginning to negotiate, let alone sign deals with their current/new teams. But we are yet to learn the verdict on Michael King or Dylan Cease, who are both commanding long-term contracts.

The Padres are unlikely to offer both of them the money they’re looking for, and it would be financially feasible to only bring back one of them. However, even if A.J. Preller chooses to bring one back, there is still a gap that needs to be filled in the starting rotation.

Padres could make noise by pursuing Zac Gallen

San Diego has been linked to some marquee starting pitchers on the market, but one candidate has emerged out of nowhere. Coming from a division rival, Zac Gallen has become the next hot topic of the offseason for the Padres.

The Arizona Diamondbacks were open to trading the 30-year-old at the 2025 trade deadline but chose to retain him for the remainder of the season in hopes of a late season playoff push. A decision that shocked many, as the team dealt Josh Naylor, Eugenio Suarez, Merrill Kelly, and Shelby Miller. Arizona would end up missing, and Gallen is now an unrestricted free agent.

Jim Bowden of The Athletic ranks Gallen as the No. 11 free agent on the market, and the No. 5 starting pitcher. His projected contract sits in the five-year, $135 million range, similar to deals to that of Sonny Gray (St. Louis) and Nathan Eovaldi (Texas).

Bringing in Gallen would be slightly pricey, but way more affordable than Cease. He would complement Nick Pivetta very nicely, as both of them put up exceptional seasons in 2025.

We would not hate this move at all for San Diego, as Preller would be addressing a need. The only concern would be how he attacks the other positional needs in free agency, as the team doesn’t have unlimited money to spend. Nonetheless, it would not hurt to bring him in.