ESPN writer Kiley McDaniel also included contract projections for all threeDiamondbacksfree agents in his ranking. Right-handed pitchers Michael Soroka (ranked at No. 28), Jonathan Loaisiga (No. 29) and Zac Gallen (No. 44) were the three Diamondbacks listed, with all three finding similar average annual value in their projected new deals.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Per The Arizona Republic'sDiamondbacks beat reporter Nick Piecoro, "right-hander Michael Soroka declined his end of a $10 million mutual option for 2027, making him a free agent." McDaniel sees Soroka snagging a two-year/$24 million deal as his next contract.
Soroka's 3.41 ERA and 1.086 WHIP from 2026 are balanced out by the right-hander's health concerns. Soroka has appeared in over 22 games just once in the past seven seasons (2024). McDaniel sees the length of contract coming down to Soroka's choice.
"The traits are still there (but the ground ball rate is now below average), and he's still in his 20s for all of next season, so I could see a one-year prove-it deal or a team taking a gamble that the bulk and quality will show up now and offer him a two-year contract," McDaniel wrote. "I think there will be interest in both concepts, so this is mostly Soroka's call."
A Phoenix police officer watches as fans revel outside Bank One Ballpark prior to the start of Game 1 of the 2001 World Series in Phoenix on Oct. 27, 2001. Security throughout the stadium was tight, with fans being searched, roads around the stadium were blocked and air traffic over the stadium was prohibited.
(Mike Blake/Reuters)
Baseball fans play in the swimming pool located just outside the right field fence during Game 1 of the 2001 World Series at Bank One Ballpark in Phoenix on Oct. 27, 2001.
(Jeff Mitchell/Reuters)
Military personnel unfurl a giant American flag during the National Anthem as part of the pregame ceremonies before the start of Game 1 of the 2001 World Series at Bank One Ballpark in Phoenix on Oct. 27, 2001. The defending world champion New York Yankees were facing the Arizona Diamondbacks in the best-of-seven series.
(Jeff Mitchell/Reuters)
A general view from the field level of Bank One Ballpark during pregame introductions before Game 1 of the World Series between the New York Yankees and the Arizona Diamondbacks at Bank One Ballpark in Phoenix on Oct. 27, 2001. The Diamondbacks defeated the Yankees 4-1.
(Brian Bahr/Getty Images)
A World Series baseball fan holds up a sign for the players during batting practice before the start of Game 1 of the 2001 World Series at Bank One Ballpark in Phoenix on Oct. 27, 2001.
(Jeff Topping/Reuters)
Randy Johnson's #51 of the Arizona Diamondbacks strikeout signs are posted during Game 2 of the Major League Baseball World Series between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the New York Yankees in Phoenix on Oct. 28, 2001.
(Harry How/Getty Images)
Fans hold banners before the start of Game 6 of the World Series between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the New York Yankees at Bank One Ballpark in Phoenix on Nov. 3, 2001. The Diamondbacks won 15-2 to force a Game 7.
(Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)
Starting pitcher Randy Johnson #51 of the Arizona Diamondbacks walks onto the field from the bullpen before Game 6 of the World Series against the New York Yankees at Bank One Ballpark in Phoenix on Nov. 3, 2001.
(Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)
Curt Schilling #38 and Luis Gonzalez #20 of the Arizona Diamondbacks celebrate the closing moments of Game 6 of the World Series against the New York Yankees at Bank One Ballpark in Phoenix on Nov. 3, 2001.
(Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)
New York mayor Rudy Giuliani (right) and U.S. Senator John McCain (left) watch Game 6 of the 2001 World Series between the Arizona Diamondbacks and New York Yankees at Bank One Ballpark in Phoenix on Nov. 3, 2001.
(Jeff Topping/Reuters)
Fans wave pom-poms during Game 7 of the 2001 World Series at Bank One Ballpark in Phoenix on Nov. 4.
(Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
An Arizona Diamondbacks fan holds a sign in the stands before the start of Game 7 at the 2001 World Series at Bank One Ballpark in Phoenix on Nov. 4, 2001.
(Jeff Topping/Reuters)
1/12
See Arizona Diamondbacks fans attend 2001 World Series in photos
A Phoenix police officer watches as fans revel outside Bank One Ballpark prior to the start of Game 1 of the 2001 World Series in Phoenix on Oct. 27, 2001. Security throughout the stadium was tight, with fans being searched, roads around the stadium were blocked and air traffic over the stadium was prohibited.
(Mike Blake/Reuters)
1/12
See Arizona Diamondbacks fans attend 2001 World Series in photos
A Phoenix police officer watches as fans revel outside Bank One Ballpark prior to the start of Game 1 of the 2001 World Series in Phoenix on Oct. 27, 2001. Security throughout the stadium was tight, with fans being searched, roads around the stadium were blocked and air traffic over the stadium was prohibited.
(Mike Blake/Reuters)
2/12
See Arizona Diamondbacks fans attend 2001 World Series in photos
Baseball fans play in the swimming pool located just outside the right field fence during Game 1 of the 2001 World Series at Bank One Ballpark in Phoenix on Oct. 27, 2001.
(Jeff Mitchell/Reuters)
3/12
See Arizona Diamondbacks fans attend 2001 World Series in photos
Military personnel unfurl a giant American flag during the National Anthem as part of the pregame ceremonies before the start of Game 1 of the 2001 World Series at Bank One Ballpark in Phoenix on Oct. 27, 2001. The defending world champion New York Yankees were facing the Arizona Diamondbacks in the best-of-seven series.
(Jeff Mitchell/Reuters)
4/12
See Arizona Diamondbacks fans attend 2001 World Series in photos
A general view from the field level of Bank One Ballpark during pregame introductions before Game 1 of the World Series between the New York Yankees and the Arizona Diamondbacks at Bank One Ballpark in Phoenix on Oct. 27, 2001. The Diamondbacks defeated the Yankees 4-1.
(Brian Bahr/Getty Images)
5/12
See Arizona Diamondbacks fans attend 2001 World Series in photos
A World Series baseball fan holds up a sign for the players during batting practice before the start of Game 1 of the 2001 World Series at Bank One Ballpark in Phoenix on Oct. 27, 2001.
(Jeff Topping/Reuters)
6/12
See Arizona Diamondbacks fans attend 2001 World Series in photos
Randy Johnson's #51 of the Arizona Diamondbacks strikeout signs are posted during Game 2 of the Major League Baseball World Series between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the New York Yankees in Phoenix on Oct. 28, 2001.
(Harry How/Getty Images)
7/12
See Arizona Diamondbacks fans attend 2001 World Series in photos
Fans hold banners before the start of Game 6 of the World Series between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the New York Yankees at Bank One Ballpark in Phoenix on Nov. 3, 2001. The Diamondbacks won 15-2 to force a Game 7.
(Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)
8/12
See Arizona Diamondbacks fans attend 2001 World Series in photos
Starting pitcher Randy Johnson #51 of the Arizona Diamondbacks walks onto the field from the bullpen before Game 6 of the World Series against the New York Yankees at Bank One Ballpark in Phoenix on Nov. 3, 2001.
(Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)
9/12
See Arizona Diamondbacks fans attend 2001 World Series in photos
Curt Schilling #38 and Luis Gonzalez #20 of the Arizona Diamondbacks celebrate the closing moments of Game 6 of the World Series against the New York Yankees at Bank One Ballpark in Phoenix on Nov. 3, 2001.
(Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)
10/12
See Arizona Diamondbacks fans attend 2001 World Series in photos
New York mayor Rudy Giuliani (right) and U.S. Senator John McCain (left) watch Game 6 of the 2001 World Series between the Arizona Diamondbacks and New York Yankees at Bank One Ballpark in Phoenix on Nov. 3, 2001.
(Jeff Topping/Reuters)
11/12
See Arizona Diamondbacks fans attend 2001 World Series in photos
Fans wave pom-poms during Game 7 of the 2001 World Series at Bank One Ballpark in Phoenix on Nov. 4.
(Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
12/12
See Arizona Diamondbacks fans attend 2001 World Series in photos
An Arizona Diamondbacks fan holds a sign in the stands before the start of Game 7 at the 2001 World Series at Bank One Ballpark in Phoenix on Nov. 4, 2001.
(Jeff Topping/Reuters)
As for Loaisiga, McDaniel sees a two-year/$22 million contract on its way. He posted a 2.42 ERA and 1.030 WHIP in 2026. McDaniel credits his performance to "improved command, a slight tweak to his pitch mix and a bit more zip on his fastball."
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Loaisiga pitches to contact effectively, striking out just 6.4 batters per nine innings but allowing just 7.5 hits per nine innings. Making the most appearances of his career in 2026 (67), Loaisiga is still in his athletic prime at age 32.
Gallen is a year younger than Loaisiga, but has not produced these past two seasons. Gallen has put together a 4.83 ERA campaign in 2025 and a 6.07 ERA campaign in 2026. Previously, the only season he recorded an ERA over 3.65 was 2021, and he had never recorded an ERA over 3.65 in a healthy season prior to 2025.
"Gallen is yet another potential target for low-payroll, development-first clubs to get an All-Star-level talent for a smaller one-year deal," McDaniel wrote.
McDaniel projects Gallen to pick up a one-year, $12 million contract in free agency and writes that a change of scenery is part of the best move for Gallen. Gallen finished top five in Cy Young award voting in 2022 and 2023 while with the Diamondbacks,but the team is likely cutting payrollfor 2027. That does not bode well for Gallen's chances of remaining in the desert.
