The Arizona Diamondbacks were able to post a winning record in 2026, but for the third year in a row, they have been forced to sit at home while postseason baseball plays out. 

To the displeasure of many fans, manager Torey Lovullo also received a two-year contract extension that put him on the same timeline as general manager Mike Hazen, meaning that the tenures of both with the organization will exceed a decade, and they only have two playoff appearances to show for it so far.

To make the situation in Phoenix more tense, owner Ken Kendrick did not waste time making comments about his goal to trim payroll heading into 2027. If Kendrick follows through, who should the Diamondbacks move on from?

Perhaps right-hander Zac Gallen should be first on the list.

Firstly, let's talk about the financials surrounding Gallen. 

In February, he signed a one-year, $22 million deal with Arizona after declining the same amount of money in a qualifying offer last November. 

According to Spotrac, Gallen's impact on the payroll was worth $16.1 million, and he will earn $4.6 million in deferred money in 2032, 2033 and 2034. However, in 2027, he is set to be an unrestricted free agent.

Given his impending free agency status, it is now time for Arizona to cut its ties with Gallen.

The 2026 season was disastrous for the former All-Star. He was only able to appear in 22 games, 20 of which were starts, due to right elbow inflammation that kept him off the field for two months. 

When Gallen was on the field, he posted a brutal 3-9 record with a 6.07 ERA in 105.1 innings pitched. His ERA was the worst of his career, and he also posted career-worst averages in other categories, such as WHIP (1.55) and opponent batting average (.298). 

Gallen was not worth his price tag in 2026, and if the Diamondbacks hitch their wagon to him when they have a very pressing need to upgrade the pitching staff in some form, it feels irresponsible. 

The expectation is that Corbin Burnes will be healthy in 2027, especially if the former Cy Young Award winner's offseason is extended by the looming lockout in Major League Baseball. Left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez was also an All-Star in 2026, and the combination of those two can provide a strong front for the starting rotation. 

However, there needs to be more stability on the back end, and Gallen did not prove this season that he can provide that. Of course, his two-month stint on the Injured List was not his fault, but he is responsible for the results he produces while on the field, and it feels like Arizona can make better use of its money.