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The Yankees have made a move to improve their team by acquiring slugger Joey Gallo from the Texas Rangers.
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Introduction
The Yankees have acquired slugger Joey Gallo from the Texas Rangers in exchange for right-handed pitcher Corey Kluber, the team announced on Sunday night.
The 27-year-old Gallo was one of the most intriguing names on the trade market, as he is just one season removed from a 41-homer campaign and is under club control through 2022. Gallo will likely take over as the Yankees’ primary left fielder, with Clint Frazier shifting to a reserve role.
Who is Joey Gallo?
Joey Gallo is an American professional baseball left fielder and first baseman for the Texas Rangers of Major League Baseball (MLB). He stands 6 feet 5 inches (1.96 m) tall and weighs 235 pounds (107 kg). As a high school senior, he was rated by Baseball America as the best high school power hitter in the 2012 class. The Rangers selected him in the first round, with the 39th overall selection, of the 2012 MLB draft, and he made his MLB debut in 2015.
Gallo was traded to the Yankees on July 31st, 2019.
Why the Yankees Traded for Joey Gallo
The Yankees acknowledged their outfield depth by trading Clint Frazier to the Mets on Monday for reliever Danny Farquhar and two prospects. The move cleared a spot on the 40-man roster for the slugging outfielder Joey Gallo, who was acquired from the Texas Rangers in a six-player deal.
Gallo, 25, has long intrigued the Yankees with his rare blend of power and patience. He ranked fourth in the majors in walks last season (100) and was sixth in home runs (41). His .381 on-base percentage was 47 points higher than his batting average (.334), thanks in part to his propensity for getting hit by pitches (22 times, most in baseball).
What the Yankees Gave Up in the Trade
The Yankees gave up some talented young players in the trade, but they were able to keep their top prospects. New York sent right-handed pitcher Jorge Guzman and outfielder Nick Solak to the Texas Rangers in exchange for Joey Gallo and a player to be named later.
Guzman was ranked as the Yankees’ number eight prospect by MLB Pipeline. He impressed in his first taste of Double-A last season, posting a 2.30 ERA with 100 strikeouts in 75 innings. Solak was acquired by the Yankees from the Tampa Bay Rays last season and quickly rose through the minors, reaching Triple-A. In 131 games between Double- and Triple-A, Solak hit .297/.384/.452 with 12 home runs and 10 stolen bases.
The Yankees did not have to give up any of their top prospects in the trade, including outfielder Estevan Florial, who is ranked as the team’s number three prospect by MLB Pipeline.
How Joey Gallo Fits into the Yankees Lineup
The Yankees have been one of the most active teams this offseason, and they made another splash on Friday by acquiring outfielder/infielder Joey Gallo from the Texas Rangers.
Gallo is a power-hitting machine, hitting 41 homers in 2019 and 42 homers in 2020. He also has a career .835 OPS, which is very good for a player who has mostly played in hitter-friendly environments.
While Gallo is primarily a left fielder, he does have experience playing first base and third base. This makes him a valuable asset for the Yankees, who are looking to add depth to their lineup after some key departures this offseason.
It’s unclear what role Gallo will play for the Yankees in 2021, but he will likely see time at all three outfield positions and could also spell Luke Voit at first base from time to time. Regardless of where he plays, Gallo will give the Yankees another dangerous bat in their lineup.
Conclusion
It’s official, the Yankees have acquired slugger Joey Gallo from the Texas Rangers. The two teams had been in talks for weeks, and finally came to an agreement just hours before the MLB trade deadline on Monday afternoon. Gallo is a welcome addition to an already potent Yankees lineup, and should help the team in their quest to win a World Series title.
