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

Colorado Rockies v Arizona Diamondbacks | Chris Coduto/GettyImagesAfter 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…