Jed Hoyer and the Chicago Cubs have opted to change course from their approach over the last couple of offseason periods.
In recent years, the Cubs have decided to play it safe. They have refrained from spending big money and being aggressive. Fans had grown very frustrated with the team acting more like a small market franchise than the mega market they actually are.
This offseason, Chicago decided to spend.
First, the Cubs made a major splash trade with the Miami Marlins to acquire starting pitcher Edward Cabrera. That move alone was enough to excite the fan base. Cabrera has true No. 1 potential if he reaches his ceiling and can stay healthy.
After that move was made, Chicago decided to take another big swing. Hoyer and the front office were able to agree to terms with star free agent third baseman Alex Bregman on a five-year, $175 million contract that included deferred money.
With those two moves being completed, fans have expected that the Cubs could be done this offseason. However, it doesn’t appear that Hoyer and company have thrown in the towel.
According to a report from Bruce Levine of 670 The Score, Chicago is still showing interest in signing free agent starting pitcher Zac Gallen.
“Those talks are ongoing,” Levine said. “My reporting is the possibility is that it’ll be a shorter-term type of deal.”
Chicago Cubs Have Been Looking Into Zac Gallen All Offseason
Gallen and the Cubs have been connected since the early stages of the offseason. After trading for Cabrera, a move for Gallen would be an incredibly aggressive move for Chicago.
Last season with the Arizona Diamondbacks, Gallen did not have his best year. He made 33 starts to go along with a 13-15 record, a 4.83 ERA, a 1.26 WHIP, a 2.7 K/BB ratio, and 192 innings pitched.
Despite the lower production, Gallen is still a more than capable No. 3 or No. 4 starter. With the Cubs, he would have to earn his keep. Chicago currently has Cabrera, Shota Imanaga, Jameson Taillon, Matthew Boyd, and Cade Horton in the rotation, with Justin Steele expected to return at some point in 2026.
Signing with the Cubs would give Gallen a chance to be top-tier depth. He could work his way into the rotation consistently if he can regain his form from the 2022 and 2023 seasons.
It was clear last year that Chicago needed to prioritize more pitching depth. Gallen would be an elite fill-in starter if needed.
Is Chicago the Favorite in the National League Central Now?
Even though the Cubs lost superstar outfielder Kyle Tucker in free agency to the Los Angeles Dodgers after just one season with the team, they have improved.
Both Bregman and Cabrera are ideal fits for Chicago and will improve two areas that needed to be addressed. If the Cubs can continue being aggressive by signing Gallen, there will be no question that they’re the favorites in the NL Central.
Already, the overwhelming belief is that Chicago has passed up the Milwaukee Brewers as favorites in the division. Add in the fact that the Brewers continue being linked to trading star pitcher Freddy Peralta and those chances could increase for the Cubs.
Expect to hear more rumors about Chicago in the near future. Gallen may not end up signing with the Cubs, but they’re still a team worth keeping a close eye on.
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