While Max Scherzer and Trevor Story figure to be the most accomplished players potentially moved before the July 30 trade deadline, Texas Rangers outfielder Joey Gallo would be quite the pickup for any potential 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, this type of player is coveted.
Indeed, Audacy Sports MLB Insider Jon Heyman says that Gallo "is a guy that teams in need of outfield help are targeting."
Heyman notes that it isn't yet known whether the Rangers will have interest in trading the former All-Star. The 27-year-old can't become a free agent until after the 2022 season, so Jon Daniels, Chris Young and company 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's five potential landing spots for him:
Boston Red Sox
Joey Gallo could be an interesting trade target for the Red Sox.(Bob Levey/Getty Images)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.
Philadelphia Phillies
Could the Phillies be a suitor for Joey Gallo.(Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)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.
Chicago White Sox
Could Joey Gallo be a trade target for the White Sox?(Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)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.
San Francisco Giants
Joey Gallo could. be an interest trade target for the San Francisco Giants.(D. Ross Cameron/USA Today)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.
St. Louis Cardinals
Joey Gallo could be an interesting trade target for the Cardinals.(Joe Nicholson/USA Today)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.
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