Story byCameron BelcherMon, February 16, 2026 at 11:42 PM UTC·2 min readThis is what ultimately led to Zac Gallen to re-sign with Dbacks originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here. A little over a couple of weeks ago, it was suggested that starting pitcher Zac Gallen re-sign with the Arizona Diamondbacks after he was still on the market after months of free agency. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThat suggestion became a reality on Friday when Gallen officially signed a one-year, $22 million deal to stay in Arizona, and it turned out to be an offer the pitcher had previously declined. Nonetheless, the Diamondbacks get the privilege of bringing back a very serviceable pitcher in the rotation without having to overspend. Aside from the fact that Gallen likely had no other offers, he explained why he decided to re-sign. More: MLB Hot Stove tracker: Live updates on news, rumors, signings and trades for 2025 free agency"When we set out, we wanted to go somewhere we were comfortable, and somewhere I could continue to get better," Gallen confirmed on the MLB Network show, 'Hot Stove'. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe right-handed ace also came to mind whenever he thought of the players he was looking for on a team; Arizona kept coming up. Gallen faced some struggles last season, going 13-15 in 33 starts and allowing his career high in runs with a 4.83 ERA, but still showed flashes of being elite, as he has never been known as a bad pitcher in his career, as he has three top-five finishes in Cy Young voting. Another reason why Gallen re-signed, in my opinion, that he didn't reveal is that he is going to use this as a prove-it year to ensure that he is a hot commodity during free agency next season, especially if he can become the best pitcher on the rotation and help the Diamondbacks reach the playoffs, in which they have made it since their World Series loss to the Texas Rangers in 2023. More MLB news:Red Sox sign $6 million free agent formerly of Yankees, Blue JaysFormer Yankees, Reds, A's outfielder agrees to $4M deal with PadresTigers' contract details for Framber Valdez make for absurd record-breaking dealMLB analyst makes the case for the Phillies to sign 2x All-Star armPirates to sign former Padres, White Sox 3.55 ERA veteran righty on one-year dealMets trade rumor on Brett Baty, Mark Vientos is unexpected update from PiratesYankees to claim 23-year-old power-hitter off waivers from Rockies.