Having finished off the Thanksgiving meal with an extra slice of pumpkin pie and shoved the leftovers into the fridge, it’s time for folks across the country to begin hunting for bargains. Black Friday is here, and people will be heading out to their favorite malls or checking various online stores in search of the best deals they can find.
The Athletic (subscription required) recently released a column titled ‘One Black Friday free-agent deals for every MLB team’, and predicted the Baltimore Orioles would shore up one of their biggest needs by securing right-handed pitcher Zac Gallen.
Adding Gallen would certainly upgrade the Orioles’ starting rotation, but signing the former Arizona Diamondbacks’ All-Star comes with a catch. The D-backs slapped a qualifying offer on Gallen, which he declined, meaning that any team that signs him this offseason will have to sacrifice a draft pick in addition to whatever salary he commands in free agency.
Signing Zac Gallen would come with a questionable cost for the Orioles
The qualifying offer allows teams is a means of compensation for both the player and the team. In the case of Gallen, he turned down what would’ve been a one-year, $22 million deal from the Arizona in order to pursue a bigger payday on the open market.
The D-backs protected themselves by ensuring they would receive a draft pick if Gallen signs anywhere other than Arizona. The Diamondbacks will receive a pick after Round 1 of the 2026 MLB Draft or after the completion of the Competitive Balance Round B, depending on the terms of Gallen’s impending deal.
As for the Orioles, because they’re a revenue-sharing recipient, Baltimore would be sacrificing their third-highest draft pick. Given the O’s lack of success last season, that’s a mighty high price to pay, as that pick could come as soon as the second round.
Gallen bounced around the league during his first few years in the pros, but settled out West in 2019 and put together a solid career with the Arizona Diamondbacks. The 30-year-old had a down year in 2025, however, posting a career-worst 4.83 ERA in 33 starts. Gallen’s been a reliable arm, however, averaging over 170 innings pitched since 2021 and two top-5 Cy Young finishes.
The Orioles shouldn’t allow the forfeiture of a draft pick take Gallen off the board completely, but Mike Elias is sure to think twice before offering him a free agent deal this offseason.
