Padres, Yankees emerging as favorites for Joey Gallo

Both the San Diego Padres and New York Yankees are reportedly interested in trading for Rangers outfielder Joey Gallo.

In the midst of an All-Star season, Rangers outfielder Joey Gallo is among the biggest trade chips drawing attention ahead of the July 30 deadline.

Gallo has one final year of arbitration eligibility remaining before becoming a free agent for the 2023 season. MLB Insider Jon Heyman reports Texas is trying to extend Gallo, but they are still open to trade offers. It’s also being reported both the Padres and Yankees are among the teams interested in Gallo for a playoff push in the two months of the regular season.

Despite an extra season of arbitration, Gallo’s recent struggles may have caused his value to dip a bit. He has just two hits in his last 26 at-bats and he’s also struck out 14 times in that span. Overall, Gallo owns a .225/.384/.490 slash line with 24 home runs, 52 RBIs, and a major-league leading 74 walks in 380 plate appearances this season. Gallo also won a Gold Glove as an outfielder in 2020.

The Padres and Yankees are interested in Joey Gallo

The Padres aren’t necessarily in desperate need for a power bat in the outfield like Gallo. Still, having a right-handed heavy lineup could be enough to go after Gallo if the price is right. They currently rank sixth in the majors in on-base percentage (.327) and 12th in slugging percentage (.410), each of which is a strength of Gallo.

San Diego is currently in third place in the NL West, five games back of the first-place Giants and five games ahead in the second Wild Card spot.

A team more likely to take a risk in improving their contention odds is the Yankees. Ironically, they’ve shown they might be just as desperate for some bullpen help as they are in need of an on-base and slugging presence that Gallo comes with.

New York is in a desperate need for some production from the left side of the plate and in their outfield as well, especially after placing Aaron Judge on the 10-day IL. If Gallo joined the Yankees today, he’d have the highest on-base percentage and slugging percentage on the active roster.

By no means would Gallo fix all of the Bronx Bombers’ issues, but he would certainly be an upgrade over their current outfield options like Brett Gardner and Ryan LaMarre, each of whom has a batting average under .200 this season.

New York is falling further out of the NL East race (9 GB), but they remain four games out of a Wild Card spot. That glimmer of hope is enough to keep their contention window cracked open this season, but general manager Brian Cashman needs to make some serious upgrades in the next five days.