Gallen: Re-signing with D-Backs 'would be awesome'

Zac Gallen appears to have a preferred destination in free agency this offseason.

"People have been like, 'Hey, we'd really love (for) you to come back.' I think people understand what Phoenix means to me. My wife is from here. I'm calling this home base now. So, for us to be here would be awesome," the right-hander told reporters, including Blake Niemann of Fox 10 Phoenix, at the WM Phoenix Open on Tuesday.

Gallen is one of the last notable free agents remaining on the open market as spring training approaches. He's coming off a disappointing 2025 campaign in which he posted career highs in losses, ERA, and home runs allowed. Most of his struggles occurred in the first half, as he authored a 5.40 ERA with 21 homers allowed in 20 starts.

The Arizona Diamondbacks have been mentioned as one of the teams with reported interest in the 30-year-old, who's spent the last seven seasons with the club. The Baltimore Orioles and Chicago Cubs have also been linked to Gallen, but they'd have to forfeit draft picks to sign him after he rejected a qualifying offer from Arizona.

Despite the interest from other clubs, Gallen continues to speak highly of the D-Backs, mentioning their fans as part of the reason he'd like to return.

"I think it's been really humbling that people have come up and would like me to come back, especially because I know how the first half of last year went, and we didn't make the playoffs and things like that," Gallen said. "It gives you chills that people still want you to come back and be a part of the organization and franchise."