‘Sneaky’ Yankees Trade Pitch Nabs Former Cy Young Finalist

The New York Yankees are already said to be “drooling” over starting pitcher Zac Gallen. Why not try to take him for a test drive into the postseason? 

A few months ago, MLB columnist Bob Nightengale of USA Today cited Gallen’s win at Yankee Stadium on April 2 – more specifically, the 13 strikeouts Gallen threw over 6.2 innings – to report that New York’s front office had an eye on the 29-year-old’s pending free agent status. An MLB analyst at ClutchPoints recently proposed a “sneaky trade” that could bring Gallen over from the Arizona Diamondbacks for a long playoff run. 

In an article with a few suggested swaps to boost New York’s World Series hopes, Zachary Howell submitted that the Yankees need to keep up with the “arms race” in Major League Baseball by acquiring the right-hander, who will be an unrestricted free agent for the first time after the season. Given the struggles this season for Gallen and the Diamondbacks, a move could allow Gallen to refocus, while giving the Yankees a chance for an early sales pitch. 

“Pending future health, Boone’s rotation next season could feature Gerrit Cole, Fried, Rodon, and Gallen,” Howell surmised. “That foursome would rival the Los Angeles Dodgers’ as the best in the league.” 

MLB Analyst Proposes Yankees Swap Chase Hampton for Arizona’s Zac Gallen

Howell’s deal sends minor league pitcher Chase Hampton to Arizona. Ranked No. 4 among Yankees prospects in 2024, Hampton has not pitched this season after undergoing Tommy John surgery in February. Hampton, who turns 24 in August, was a sixth-round draft pick in 2022. In 27 games over parts of two seasons, Hampton, currently the team’s No. 7 prospect, has a 3.45 ERA with 161 strikeouts in 125.1 innings.  

“This move sends one of New York’s better pitching prospects away, but the pros far outweigh the cons,” Howell contended. 

It could only help Gallen to have a change of scenery. The 2025 season started off bad for Gallen, and it has hardly gotten any better. 

In fact, the 4-3 early-season win during which Gallen so dazzled the Yankees brass was his lone win through April, and it remains the only scoreless outing for Gallen in 17 starts. 

Zac Gallen Will Enter Free Agency After ‘Frustrating’ 2025

Few would have seen this coming. 

After three consecutive seasons of double-digit wins and sub-.400 ERAs, including a 2023 campaign in which he went 17-9 with a 3.47 ERA and finished third in the Cy Young voting, Gallen is 5-9 with a 5.75 ERA. In 97 innings, Gallen has given up 95 hits and 42 walks with 88 strikeouts.  

“It’s just frustrating,” he said following a recent loss. 

The season as a whole has been frustrating for Arizona, who entered Sunday’s game at 41-41, 10 games behind the Dodgers for first place in the NL West and 4.5 games out from the final wild card spot. With the July 31 trade deadline getting ever closer, reality will likely soon hit the Diamondbacks, who could be among this season’s top sellers. In addition to Gallen, pitcher Merrill Kelly and third baseman Eugenio Suarez stand to be some of the more desirable trade candidates.