🧨 INSIDER PUSH: Quiet voices around the league are urging Atlanta to make a bold move for a predicted $135 million frontline starter, a pursuit insiders say could redefine the Braves’ championship window. The whispers suggest something larger is brewing — a shift in ambition that may catch the entire NL off guard.

Braves Urged to Sign $135 Million Predicted Starter in Free Agency

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Zac Gallen of the Arizona Diamondbacks

This is a very important offseason in Braves Country. After being the dominant force in the National League East for most of the 2020s, other division rivals like the Phillies and New York Mets are starting to catch up. Atlanta Braves GM Alex Anthopoulos understands the team needs to make moves if it wants to return to the MLB playoffs in 2026.

The biggest decision the front office has to make regards DH Marcell Ozuna, but after that, the Braves are thought to need starting pitching, bullpen help, and another infielder. A current MLB insider recently urged the Braves to ink a deal with Diamondbacks’ starter Zac Gallen.

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Braves Predicted to Sign Diamondbacks’ Zac Gallen

Zac Gallen had a rough go of things in 2025 with the Arizona Diamondbacks, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t valuable to another organization. He may just need a change of scenery to revitalize his career.

In a recent “Winter Meetings Wish List” article by The Athletic’s Jim Bowden, the MLB insider urges the Braves to sign Zac Gallen to a five-year, $135 million deal:

“Once Gallen joins the Braves, their pitching room immediately makes adjustments with his mechanics and gets him back on track.”

GettyArizona Diamondbacks pitcher Zac Gallen

It’s a short explanation as to why the Braves should sign Gallen, but would a chance of his mechanics really make him more effective?

Zac Gallen posted a 4.93 ERA in 192 innings in 2025. When an ERA is that inflated, it’s important to also look at a pitcher’s FIP to see if he was maybe “unlucky”, but Gallen’s FIP in 2025 was 4.50.

His best seasons as a big leaguer came in 2022 and 2023. He was named an All-Star in 2023 (3.47 ERA, 210 innings, 220 K’s). The year prior, Gallen posted a 2.54 ERA over 31 starts. The great thing about signing Zac Gallen would be his durability. He’s made 28+ starts in four straight seasons.

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What Would this Signing Mean for Atlanta?

The Atlanta Braves already have a strong 1-2 punch at the top of their rotation in Chris Sale and Spencer Schwellenbach, but they are searching for depth pieces. Gallen has always been a frontline starter, but maybe a role change could be what the doctor ordered for the 30-year-old starter.

However, the $135 million prediction might be a little bit too high a price for the Braves, especially if Gallen would be a No.3/No.4 starter in the rotation.

According to BaseballReference.com, Zac Gallen is projected to post a 4.21 ERA in 171 innings.

Gallen’s big bug-a-boo in 2025 was giving up the long ball. In 192 innings, he gave up 31 home runs (career-high).

As MLB’s winter meetings commence here in the next few days, it will be interesting to see what reports come out of the Braves camp in terms of offseason plans.

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