MLB trade grades: Yankees acquire the slugger they needed in Joey Gallo

The Yankees despite all their struggles are very much alive in the wild card race. Now that they’ve traded for one of the biggest bats on the market can Joey Gallo be the boost they need.

The trade deadline is right around the corner and the Yankees desperately needed to make a move. Not only to help boost their chances of making the playoffs, but to show the fans that they’re not giving up on a season that has very much been somewhat of a disappointment this season.

Yankees stadium is built for left handed power bats and the fact that the Yankees don’t really have any is confusing to say the least. All of that changed with one phone call to the Texas Rangers on Wednesday.

The deal isn’t official yet, but all signs are pointing to Joey Gallo joining the Bronx Bombers. LHP John King will also be heading to New York with Gallo.

Joey Gallo contract details

One of the things that makes this deal so fantastic for the Yankees Is that Gallo will still be under team control through 2022. So he won’t be a free agent until after next season, and the Yankees should have a decent shot at re-signing him.

The Yankees, for reasons that will never be understood, are also trying to stay under the luxury tax threshold which prior to the trade they were about four million away from. Gallo is only owed about $2.4 million the rest of the season so they will remain under that threshold with room to still make other trades if necessary.

Rangers grade: B+

The Rangers chose quantity of quality in terms of prospects in this trade. They still ended up with quality prospects with solid upside for their rebuild. The Rangers reached deep into the Yankees organizational depth and plucked the prospects they felt will help them out the most.

The prizes of their return are second baseman Ezequiel Duran, RHP Glen Otto and shortstop Josh Smith. Duran is the Yankees 15th ranked prospect and is currently posting a 141 wRC+ in High-A Hudson Valley. Fangraphs doesn’t have his game power graded that high but he’s seen as a good contact hitter with plus-speed and a solid glove.

Glen Otto is the Yankees 28th ranked prospect and is currently in Triple-A Scranton Wilkes-Barre and is having a decent season. He’s wildly outperforming his 4.17 xFIP right now so there’s room for improvement, but the potential is there. He has a plus-fastball to go along with a good curveball.

You never know how prospects will pan out, but the Rangers managed to get some really solid prospects even if they weren’t the Yankees top guys.

Yankees grade: A

This is a slam dunk deal for Brian Cashman and the Yankees. Just when you thought he was going to stand pat or not do enough to make a deal happen he comes through for Yankee fans.

The Yankees are right in the thick of things for a playoff spot, and they’re about to enter a three week stretch where they should dominate the teams they’re going to play once they finish their series with the Tampa Bay Rays.

Yankees have had 11 left-handed batters make a plate appearance this season, and they’ve combined to for 22 home runs. Joey Gallo has 25 by himself.

He’s is going to walk into the clubhouse with the second highest wRC+ on the team and probably the best defender on the roster. He’s going to be added to a lineup that already has two of the best power hitters in the league, and he’s going to enjoy the short porch in right field.

Most importantly he is under team control for another year which sets the Yankees up perfectly for next season as well. The Yankees are also getting bullpen help which they’ll need for the rest of the season after they traded away Luis Cessa and Justin Wilson to clear space on the roster for this seemingly impending trade.

What may go under the radar with this trade is the fact that the Yankees were able to hold on to their high upside prospects such as Oswaldo Peraza, Anthony Volpe, Luis Gil, Luis Medina and Clarke Schmidt.