Cubs’ Zac Gallen plans might hinge on this underrated 2025 X-factor

After prematurely reporting that the Chicago Cubs were finalizing a multi-year agreement with free-agent starting pitcher Zac Gallen, USA Today's Bob Nightengale isn't exactly backing down from his intel. In his Sunday notebook, previewing the Winter Meetings, Nightengale shifted his original report, suggesting that the "Cubs are engaged in serious discussions with Gallen."

The will-they-or-won't-they nature of the Cubs' interest in Gallen has also provided an important lesson in media literacy ahead of the Winter Meetings. There is danger in rushing to be the first one to break a story, a lesson Nightengale fails to learn each offseason, but on the other side, even if you have intel that debunks the original story but someone else already has, maybe just credit them instead of opening the door for social media drama. Especially when the person to first debunk the story was ESPN's Jeff Passan.

At the very least, the one thing that is clear is that the Cubs are interested in Gallen, but as of now, they aren't close to a deal. Of course, that could change once the Winter Meetings get started in earnest on Monday.

If they Cubs sign Zac Gallen, it will reunite him with his long-time catcher.

The Athletic's Patrick Mooney (subscription required) added more confirmation of the Cubs' interest in Gallen, but in doing so, shed light on the fact that the 30-year-old starting pitcher would be reuniting with long-time catcher Carson Kelly if he were to sign with the Cubs. Gallen has thrown over 325 innings with Kelly as his catcher when the two were in Arizona, and has a 2.81 ERA during that time.

Regardless of the team Gallen signs with, he will need some fixing. For the Cubs, it's likely not as simple as reuniting him with Kelly, but a familiar face certainly wouldn't hurt their efforts.

Gallen lost value on nearly every pitch in his arsenal last season, with only his fastball and changeup having positive values. The struggles are believed to be tied to a change in his arm slot, something the Cubs have fixed in the past with other pitchers. With Scott Boras shopping Gallen as a three-time Cy Young candidate, it would still be an expensive gamble, and one that may take the Cubs out of the race for a larger addition to the rotation, such as Tatsuya Imai.

That said, if they fix Gallen, they have a clear workhorse who can once again sit at the top of any rotation that he is in.