Veteran right-hander Yovani Gallardo remains unemployed as the middle of January quickly approaches. Gallardo has not been able to find a landing spot after rejecting the Rangers’ qualifying offer in November.
Nick Cafardo expects Gallardo “to be the next significant starter to go in free agency.” Cafardo thinks Gallardo could land a contract similar to the three-year, $48 million deal that Scott Kazmir inked with the Dodgers. Cafardo added there are a few teams that are interested, “each of which are hoping to score a bargain.” And teams think Gallardo may sign for two or three years not a four-to five-year contract he was expected to receive.
According to Nick Cafardo the Cubs are one of the teams in on Yovani Gallardo. Cafardo reported, “Look for the Orioles, Blue Jays, Pirates, Royals and Cubs to be in on Gallardo.”
Reports have indicated for months the Cubs would like to add a top of the rotation starter with multiple years of control. It is believed the front office would prefer to acquire a starter via a trade, not another free agent signing, much less one that is attached to draft pick compensation.
If the Cubs were to sign Yovani Gallardo it would cost them a third pick in June’s Draft. And as it currently stands with Dexter Fowler still on the market, the Cubs would not make a selection until the fourth round and would also lose three rounds of slot money.
Yovani Gallardo spent last season with the Rangers after pitching his first eight years in the big leagues with the Brewers. Gallardo was believed to be on the block last July. But after the Rangers acquired Cole Hamels, Jon Daniels focused on winning the division and not trading his players.
In 33 starts, Gallardo was 13-11 with a 3.42 ERA and 1.41 WHIP. Gallardo did not pitch to expectations in Texas and he has shown a steady decline over the past three seasons. Gallardo allowed 76 runs, 70 earned, on 76 hits with 68 walks and 121 strikeouts in 184 1/3 innings.
During his eight seasons with the Brewers, Gallardo was 89-64 in 214 games, 211 starts, with a 3.69 ERA and 1.30 WHIP.
Yovani Gallardo isn’t quite the pitcher he was during his early years with the Brewers. It is really difficult to see the Cubs forfeiting a draft pick to sign a starting pitcher that averaged less than six innings per start last season, and one that turns 30 next month.
• Yovani Gallardo’s Page on Baseball-Reference