Red Sox Linked To Former All-Star, Journeyman Reliever

The trade rumors surrounding the Boston Red Sox and Arizona Diamondbacks All-Star second baseman Ketel Marte continue to swirl.

Marte isn’t the only Arizona star being linked to the Red Sox, however.

FOX Sports published a piece titled “3 MLB Free Agents Boston Red Sox Should Sign” on Thursday, listing Diamondbacks starting pitcher Zac Gallen among the trio.

“Sure, Gallen is coming off arguably the worst season of his career, as the right-hander posted a career-high 4.83 ERA. At the same time, this is a top-of-the-rotation force in the prime of his career,” the article said. “The 30-year-old Gallen, who leans on his four-seamer while traditionally mixing in a knuckle curve and changeup, pitches deep into games, gets hitters to bite at his low-to-mid-90s offerings and has been the backbone of the Arizona Diamondbacks’ pitching staff since his 2019 arrival. From 2022-24, Gallen recorded a combined 3.20 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 4.1 wins above replacement per season across 93 regular-season starts, highlighted by helping Arizona reach the 2023 World Series.”

The 2023 All-Star was heavily connected to Boston leading up to last summer’s MLB trade deadline.

The FOX Sports post also urged the Red Sox to re-sign All-Star third baseman Alex Bregman and ink veteran lefty relief pitcher Andrew Chafin to a contract.

“Yes, Boston’s bullpen was second in MLB with a collective 3.41 ERA last season, but with veteran Justin Wilson (3.35 ERA in 61 appearances in 2025) on the open market, the Red Sox could use another left-hander. Enter Chafin,” the article said. “Despite constantly changing teams – Chafin has been with eight clubs in the last six years – the 35-year-old continues to survive in the big leagues. He posts strikeouts at a high clip, can put away hitters and evades damage. Chafin does so with a consistent three-pitch arsenal: sinker, slider and four-seamer.”

Chafin has played for eight teams in his career, including Arizona from 2014 to 2020 and again for part of the 2023 campaign.

The big southpaw has mostly thrived in recent seasons, posting a 3.51 ERA or better in 2021, 2022, 2024 and 2025.

Chafin finished last year 1-1 with a 2.41 ERA across 42 games split between the Los Angeles Angels and Washington Nationals.