Insider Reveals Why Rival GM Believes Chicago Cubs Are Still the Favorite to Land Zac Gallen
Is the door truly closed between the Chicago Cubs and Zac Gallen, or is the most intriguing free agent storyline of the offseason quietly building toward a dramatic finish.
As spring training camps officially open and pitchers begin stretching out their arms under the Arizona sun, one of the most accomplished starters on the market remains unsigned.
That reality alone has turned Gallen’s situation into one of the most debated topics across front offices, clubhouses, and fan circles alike.
The former Arizona Diamondbacks ace is still available.
And the team most persistently linked to him is the Chicago Cubs.
All winter long, speculation has swirled around whether Chicago would make a serious push for the veteran right-hander.
At times, the noise seemed to cool.
Reports from The Athletic suggested that the Cubs were unlikely to sign Gallen due to timing concerns and the draft pick compensation that would be required.
For many observers, that appeared to signal the end of the conversation.
But in Major League Baseball, rumors rarely die quietly.
They linger.
They evolve.
And sometimes, they point toward something far more real than organizations are willing to admit publicly.
Baseball insider Bruce Levine has consistently maintained that the Cubs remain a logical landing spot for Gallen.
Throughout the offseason, Levine has pushed back against the idea that Chicago has moved on.
This week, he added fuel to the fire.
According to Levine, during a recent gathering of general managers, a rival executive shared an intriguing perspective.
That GM, who is not affiliated with the Cubs, believes Chicago is still the most likely destination for Gallen.
That assessment was not based on guesswork.
It was rooted in roster construction, payroll structure, and industry-wide perception.
The rival GM reportedly pointed to Chicago’s payroll flexibility as a central factor.
Unlike some contenders operating near financial limits, the Cubs have room to maneuver.
They also have a front office known for creativity when structuring contracts.
In modern baseball economics, creativity can often be the difference between landing a player and losing him.
Deferred money.
Opt-outs.
Escalators.
Incentive-based clauses.
All of these tools allow teams to manage risk while presenting an appealing offer.
And in Gallen’s case, that flexibility could prove decisive.
There is also the matter of Chicago’s rotation outlook beyond this season.
The Cubs are projected to lose three starters to free agency next year.
That looming turnover cannot be ignored.
Adding Gallen would not merely be about strengthening the present.
It would be about stabilizing the near future.
Levine indicated that discussions around Gallen have centered not on a one-year “prove-it” deal, but potentially on a three-year contract with an opt-out after two seasons.
Such a structure would offer Gallen security while giving Chicago manageable risk exposure.
It would also align with the team’s competitive window.
From Gallen’s perspective, remaining unsigned this late into the offseason speaks volumes.
Clearly, no team has yet presented an offer that fully satisfies him and his representation.
That hesitation may be linked to his most recent campaign, which was statistically one of the least effective of his career.
His ERA climbed.
His strikeout rate dipped slightly.
His command wavered in stretches that once defined his reliability.
For a pitcher who previously performed at an All-Star level, those trends raise legitimate questions.
Yet context matters.
Pitching metrics across the league fluctuated last season due to evolving offensive strategies and adjustments in ball composition.
Gallen’s peripheral numbers suggest that some regression may have been situational rather than structural.
His velocity remained largely intact.
His pitch mix still generated weak contact at competitive rates.
And his durability, historically one of his strengths, did not completely vanish.
Teams evaluating him must decide whether 2025 was an outlier or an early warning sign.
That evaluation may determine whether a multi-year commitment materializes.
For the Cubs, the calculus is complex.
If their pitching development group believes mechanical adjustments or sequencing refinements can restore Gallen’s previous dominance, then investing in him becomes a calculated gamble.
Chicago has demonstrated the ability to refine pitchers in recent seasons.
They have embraced data-driven pitch design.
They have optimized arm slots and spin efficiency.
If they see correctable flaws rather than irreversible decline, their interest makes strategic sense.
However, if the front office views Gallen as a short-term lottery ticket rather than a long-term pillar, the draft compensation becomes harder to justify.
Surrendering a draft pick in today’s MLB landscape is not trivial.
Young, controllable talent is the lifeblood of sustained success.
One miscalculated contract can ripple through multiple seasons.
That reality explains the caution surrounding the deal.
Meanwhile, the market dynamic itself continues to shift.
Spring training often triggers unexpected developments.
A single injury in another club’s rotation could reignite bidding.
A surprise contender might emerge.
Or negotiations could accelerate quietly behind closed doors.
The longer Gallen remains unsigned, the more unpredictable the outcome becomes.
Inside Cubs camp, the atmosphere is one of cautious optimism.
Young pitchers are competing for innings.
Veterans are building arm strength.
But everyone understands the impact an established ace could bring.
Adding Gallen would reshape the rotation hierarchy.
It would reduce bullpen strain.
It would send a message to the National League that Chicago intends to contend seriously rather than merely develop.
Symbolism matters in professional sports.
And signing a pitcher of Gallen’s pedigree would signal ambition.
The persistent nature of these rumors cannot be dismissed lightly.
All winter long, speculation tied Gallen to Chicago.
Even when reports suggested improbability, the chatter never fully disappeared.
Now, with a rival GM publicly believing the Cubs remain the frontrunner, the narrative gains renewed credibility.
In baseball circles, where there is sustained smoke, there is often underlying heat.
Whether Chicago ultimately “lands the plane,” as some executives phrase it, remains uncertain.
Front offices operate in secrecy.
Public perception often lags behind internal negotiations.
What appears unlikely externally may be progressing internally.
Until Gallen signs elsewhere, the possibility remains alive.
For Cubs fans, patience is wearing thin.
They have watched the market unfold.
They have heard conflicting reports.
They have debated the merits of committing significant dollars to a pitcher coming off a down year.
Yet they also recognize the upside.
A restored Zac Gallen in Wrigley Field could alter the trajectory of the franchise.
For now, the story remains unfinished.
Gallen continues to prepare independently.
The Cubs continue to assess.
Rival executives continue to speculate.
And the industry watches closely.
Because sometimes, the most impactful moves of an offseason occur just when the narrative seems to quiet.
If Chicago does ultimately secure Gallen’s signature, this prolonged debate will transform into a defining chapter of their competitive push.
And if they do not, it will stand as one of the most fascinating “what if” scenarios of the winter.
Either way, until pen meets paper, the speculation endures.
