With the trade deadline rapidly approaching the New York Yankees have reportedly made a major move to bolster their lineup for a postseason push on Wednesday evening.
Per multiple reports, with the first coming from Levi Weaver of The Athletic, the Yankees are finalizing a deal to acquire Texas Rangers outfielder Joey Gallo. The veteran slugger will make way for New York and the Rangers will scoop up a handful of prospects in return.
Gallo is hitting .223 so far this season, with 25 home-runs and 55 RBI, which was enough to land him on the American League All-Star team. He’s also leading all of MLB with 74 walks.
The Yankees were desperately in need of a left-handed bat in their lineup and seem to have found one in Texas. Fans of the organization were thrilled to see the team make a major move ahead of the deadline, especially given their precarious position in the playoff picture.
JOEY GALLO IS A NEW YORK YANKEE https://t.co/l4brnOJIKD
— Talkin’ Yanks (@TalkinYanks) July 29, 2021
🤌🏻🤌🏻🤌🏻 Joey Gallo 🤌🏻🤌🏻🤌🏻
Just sounds like someone who should playin the Bronx.#Yankees
— Brendan Kuty (@BrendanKutyNJ) July 29, 2021
Mentioned on @MLBNetwork last week that Joey Gallo was one of just 3 current outfielders who have had a 40-HR season & won a Gold Glove at any point in their careers (Yelich, Bellinger).
Last outfielder to do both with the #Yankees:
Mickey Mantle!
— Jayson Stark (@jaysonst) July 29, 2021
I can’t believe Joey Gallo is really about to become a member of the New York Yankees 🤩 I absolutely love this for us
— krys marie 🦋 (@krysscarr) July 29, 2021
However, a handful of responses to the trade questioned that the Yankees would pick up another player with plenty of pop but a penchant for striking out. In 310 at-bats this year, Gallo has stuck out 125 times, which should cause some concern amongst the New York faithful.
Joey Gallo went from not making the playoffs to not making the playoffs wow
— klay❓ (@kIaymemeson) July 29, 2021
joey gallo, giancarlo stanton, and aaron judge in one lineup pic.twitter.com/XtdJIo1eYs
— EmiIiano (@_emiIiano) July 29, 2021
Yankees fans: *beg for contact hitters*
Yankees: *trade for Joey Gallo*— Devan Fink (@DevanFink) July 29, 2021
So how soon do the Yankees fans boo Joey Gallo after he strikes out 4 times in a game?
— Marc Luino (@GiraffeNeckMarc) July 29, 2021
Even with his strikeout issues, Gallo will provide the Yankees with depth in the outfield, which helps fill a need in New York. The 27-year-old should be able to plug in right away, alongside Aaron Judge and Brett Gardner.
The Yankees are 52-47 on the season, still 8.5 games behind the AL East-leading Boston Red Sox. However, New York is only three games out of the Wild Card and should be able to compete for a playoff spot heading into the fall. Gallo can be an important part of that postseason push, so long as he continues his All Star caliber year.
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