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Diamondbacks' disappointing 6.10 ERA former ace might need a change of scenery originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Arizona Diamondbacks are looking to be postseason contenders this season, but their 39-38 record sits 9.5 games back in the NL West. The tightly contested Wild Card, where Arizona is one game back, is their best bet.
But to make up that one-game difference and get into a postseason spot, the Diamondbacks will need a bit of help. Of the areas to upgrade, the starting rotation is the most glaring issue.
However, one potential way the D-Backs could upgrade this rotation in a trade isn't about adding someone, but parting with one starter. Jim Bowden of The Athletic named 6.10 ERA former ace Zac Gallen as a potential trade candidate amid a disappointing season.
Diamondbacks could trade Zac Gallen to improve rotation, give ex-ace a chance to turn career around
"He's had an up-and-down year for Arizona. However, a change of scenery might be just what the doctor ordered to try and turn his career back in the direction it was just three years ago, when he started the All-Star Game for the National League," Bowden writes.
The Diamondbacks trading away Gallen, their longtime ace and former All-Star, and a $22.025 million free-agent signing, would be a bit of a surprise.
However, such a decision might actually make sense. Gallen is 30 years old, and over the last five seasons, he's gotten progressively worse.
He has a 2.54 ERA in 2022, followed by a 3.47 ERA in 2023, a 3.65 ERA in 2024, a 4.83 ERA last year in 2025, and now, during 2026, he has a 6.10 ERA in 16 starts.
Gallen's posted -1.3 bWAR on the season, and he's been a net-negative for Arizona this season. Simply moving on from him should provide a boost to the rotation.
After giving up nine runs in 4.0 innings of work against the Minnesota Twins on June 20, it's clear the Diamondbacks should be looking for ways to move on from Gallen this season.
MORE: Angles can demand more in trade for Reid Detmers than Tigers can for Tarik Skubal
A trade might be a little tricky to find, considering his struggles and the question of his contract. But if Arizona could find a deal, trading him would make sense, even with the injured rotation.
Mike Soroka, Corbin Burnes, and Ryne Nelson are all hurt, and cutting ties with Gallen this season would leave only Eduardo Rodriguez, Merrill Kelly, and Jose Cabrera as healthy starters in the rotation.
They would need to find a new starter to replace Gallen, but with how the season's going, that's something this team might need to do anyways.
Gallen, amid a brutal season thus far with a 6.10 ERA in 16 starts, should be someone the D-Backs look to replace, and Bowden believes the right-hander might even be an "under-the-radar" trade candidate this summer.
More MLB news:
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- Phillies reportedly turn down Bryce Harper's outfield offer to help at trade deadline
- Giants are ‘hopeful ‘ they can trade Matt Chapman by MLB deadline
- Giants are 'pessimistic' they can trade Rafael Devers or Willy Adames
- Twins' Byron Buxton trade update is bad news for Phillies, Braves
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