(AUDACY) While Nationals right-hander Max Scherzer and Rockies shortstop Trevor Story figure to be the most accomplished players to potentially be moved before the trade deadline on July 30, Rangers outfielder Joey Gallo would also be quite the pickup for any contender.
Gallo has never hit for a high batting average, but he has experience playing all three outfield positions, walks at a high rate and possess world-class power. In today's game, that type of player is coveted.
And indeed, Gallo "is a guy that teams in need of outfielder help are targeting," Audacy Sports insider Jon Heyman reported.
Heyman noted that it isn't yet known whether the Rangers will have interest in trading the 27-year-old Gallo, who's under contract through 2022. So the Rangers don't necessarily have to trade Gallo, even though they have no realistic path to contending in 2021.
That said, Gallo's value in a trade would almost certainly be higher now than in the offseason or next summer. So in the event that the Rangers do listen in a meaningful way on Gallo, here are five potential landing spots for him.
Boston Red Sox
Bob Levey/Getty ImagesThe Red Sox have had a surprisingly strong start to 2021, but if they want to fend off the Yankees, Blue Jays and Rays to win the American League East, they'll need some reinforcements. Whether the plan would be to use him in left field, right field or some combination of the two, Gallo would represent a pretty significant upgrade over Franchy Cordero and/or Hunter Renfroe.
Philadelphia Phillies
Ronald Martinez/Getty ImagesThe Phillies are already third in strikeout percentage and would need Gallo to play center field in 2021, so this wouldn't be a perfect fit. However, Gallo has four defensive runs saved in 410 2/3 career innings in center field, so it's possible that he could actually serve as a defensive upgrade for a team that has a mess on their hands in the field. Gallo could play in center field for the remainder of 2021, hoping to help slug the Phillies into the postseason for the first time in a decade. Next season, he could move to left field, with Andrew McCutchen's $15-million club option likely to be declined. If Odúbel Herrera's recent success proves to be short-lived, Gallo could be an interesting trade target.
Chicago White Sox
Ronald Martinez/Getty ImagesThere were some scoffs when the White Sox brought Adam Eaton back on a one-year, $7-million deal this past offseason. And to this point he has disappointed, slashing .219/.321/.395. Given that there's a distinct possibility that Eloy Jiménez doesn't return this season, making an addition like Gallo would make sense for a White Sox team that fancies itself a World Series contender. Navigating through a middle of the order that includes Gallo, José Abreu and Yermin Mercedes would be an unenviable task for opposing pitching.
San Francisco Giants
D. Ross Cameron/USA Today SportsMuch to the surprise of well, everyone, manager Gabe Kapler's upstart Giants find themselves on top of the National League West -- over arguably the two best rosters in the sport in the San Diego Padres and Los Angeles Dodgers. The Giants haven't gotten much of anything offensively out of center or left field in 2021. It's possible that Alex Dickerson bounces back after a slow start, but if not, the Giants could make quite a bit of sense for Gallo. He could start in left field while also making occasional appearances in center field.
St. Louis Cardinals
Joe Nicholson/USA Today SportsWith a lineup built around Nolan Arenado, Paul Goldschmidt and Yadier Molina, the Cardinals should be in win-now mode. Gallo would be a clear upgrade over Justin Williams in right field and could also start some games in left field. He's the type of addition that could potentially help the Cardinals knock off whichever team(s) from the NL West that they inevitably have to face in the postseason.
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