Thus, Zac Gallen — he who was thought to have signed with the Cubs during a social media fiasco prior to the Winter Meetings — remains attached to Chicago in various rumors and rumblings. Nick Martinez, not Zac Gallen, should be Cubs' top pitching target prior to spring trainingSince joining the Cincinnati Reds prior to the 2024 season, Nick Martinez has done nothing but excel at role thrown at him. He was a key piece of their pitching staff operation, and one that would be hard to replace. Also, unlike Gallen, Martinez isn't attached to a qualifying offer this winter. The Cubs do have their fair share of swingman candidates already, including Rea, Javier Assad, Ben Brown, and Jordan Wicks.