SF Giants will have some competition for former NL All-Star pitcher

Earlier this week, it was reported that the SF Giants had checked in on pitcher Zac Gallen. Mark Feinsand of MLB.Com adds that the Los Angeles Angels and Detroit Tigers have also expressed interest in the former NL All-Star.

SF Giants will have some competition for former NL All-Star pitcher

Interestingly, one potential suitor might be out. John Gambadoro of 98.7 Arizona Sports indicates that a reunion with the Arizona Diamondbacks is unlikely. 

Last month, the Diamondbacks issued Gallen a qualifying offer. He was among the nine players to reject it. 

This means that Gallen will have draft pick and IFA capital tied to his name. In many cases, this does not affect a player’s market, but it does for some of the more moderately-priced free agents like Gallen.

The Giants have reportedly been more aggressive at this level of the market. Gallen would represent the higher end of that market, as he will likely see at least three years in his next contract.

Gallen is coming off a down year with the Diamondbacks, where he pitched to a 4.83 ERA in 33 starts. The strikeout rate has trended downward in recent seasons, and his home run rate (1.5 HR/9) was the highest of his career.

Overall, the veteran pitcher has tallied a 3.58 ERA across seven major league seasons. He has age (30) and a proven track record in his favor, so that should help him in free agency. Gallen is represented by Scott Boras, who often gets his clients paid, even after down years.

The Giants have a pressing need for help in the starting rotation. Logan Webb, Robbie Ray, and Landen Roupp are penciled in to the front of their rotation. Hayden Birdsong, Trevor McDonald, and Blade Tidwell will be competing for rotation innings in the back end.

The Giants want their identity to be built around pitching and defense. It is hard to view the rotation as a strength currently. They need to make a couple of additions to it to bolster the back of that unit, which they can do with moderately-priced additions. They might not be able to raise the ceiling all that higher, but they can certainly raise the floor.

The Angels have made a couple of moves to the rotation, signing Alek Manoah and trading for Grayson Rodriguez. On the other hand, the Tigers have a quality rotation as is. Tarik Skubal headlines that unit, but Jack Flahety, Casey Mize, and Reese Olson gives Detroit a strong core.