Phillies among potential landing spots for Joey Gallo trade

The Red Sox have had a surprisingly strong start to 2021. However, if they want to fend off the New York Yankees, Toronto Blue Jays and Tampa Bay 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.

The 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.

There 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's 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 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 a very unenviable task for opposing pitching.

Much to the surprise of well, everyone, 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, also making occasional appearances in center field.

With 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 National League West that they inevitably have to face in the postseason.