The Chicago Cubs have already made a splash this offseason, but they might not be done just yet. After landing All-Star third baseman Alex Bregman and adding electric right-hander Edward Cabrera to the rotation, the Cubs are reportedly eyeing one more major piece – Zac Gallen.
If that name sounds like the missing puzzle piece, it’s because it just might be.
Gallen, a former All-Star and one of the more consistent arms in the National League over the past few seasons, is being linked to the Cubs as a potential free-agent target. And the fit makes a lot of sense.
Chicago has made pitching a clear priority this winter, bolstering the bullpen with four new arms and injecting upside into the rotation with Cabrera. Adding Gallen would not only round out the rotation – it could elevate it into one of the most complete groups in the league.
Think about it: Gallen slots in alongside Justin Steele, Jameson Taillon, and now Cabrera. Suddenly, Craig Counsell has a staff that rivals the best he had during his tenure in Milwaukee. This is a rotation that could go toe-to-toe with anyone in the National League Central – and maybe beyond.
Now, Gallen’s 2025 numbers weren’t quite what fans have come to expect. He finished the season 13-15 with a 4.83 ERA, 175 strikeouts, and a 1.260 WHIP over 192 innings.
Not elite, but still durable and capable of missing bats. And let’s not forget what he did just two seasons ago: 17-9 record, 3.47 ERA, 220 strikeouts, and a 1.119 WHIP over 210 innings.
That version of Gallen? That’s a frontline starter, the kind that can tilt a playoff series.
The Cubs don’t need him to be perfect – they just need him to be closer to that 2024 form than what we saw last season. And there’s reason to believe he can bounce back. His mechanics haven’t fallen apart, his velocity is still there, and his track record suggests that 2025 might’ve been more of a blip than a trend.
Financially, Gallen could also be a value play. He’s projected to land a four-year, $74 million deal – a reasonable number for a pitcher with his resume. And if the market doesn’t pick up steam, the Cubs might be able to get him at an even better price.
This isn’t just about adding another arm. This would be a statement.
The Cubs are acting like a big-market team again, and moves like this are how you separate yourself from the pack. With Bregman anchoring the lineup and a deep, talented rotation, Chicago would be sending a clear message: the rebuild is over, and the window to win is wide open.
If they land Gallen, the Cubs won’t just be contenders. They’ll be favorites in the NL Central – and maybe a whole lot more.
