Zac Gallen's $22M Deal: A Long Wait for Full Payment!
In a surprising move, the Arizona Diamondbacks have structured a unique contract for their newly acquired right-handed pitcher, Zac Gallen. Despite signing a one-year deal worth a substantial $22.025 million, Gallen won't receive the full amount until 2034! This eye-catching detail is sure to raise some eyebrows.
Here's the breakdown: more than half of the contract's value, a whopping $14.025 million, is deferred. Gallen will patiently wait for this sum, which will be paid out in three equal installments of $4.675 million each year from 2032 to 2034. But why the delay? And what does this mean for Gallen's financial planning?
The backstory adds an intriguing twist. Gallen had previously declined a qualifying offer from the Diamondbacks worth the same amount, but without deferred payments. This new deal, however, provides a different financial roadmap. And this is where it gets interesting: the Diamondbacks cleared a spot for Gallen by placing another right-hander, Corbin Burnes, on the 60-day injured list. Burnes, who signed a massive $210 million, six-year contract before last season, is recovering from Tommy John surgery and aims to return around the All-Star break.
Gallen, coming off a 2025 season with a 13-15 record and a 4.83 ERA, is looking to bounce back. His performance improved after the All-Star break, posting a 3.97 ERA in his last 13 starts. But the question remains: is this deferred payment structure a strategic move by the Diamondbacks or a financial strategy for Gallen? Only time will tell.
What do you think about this unusual contract structure? Is it a fair deal for Gallen, or does it favor the Diamondbacks? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
