DALLAS -- The Texas Rangers have traded two-time All-Star Joey Gallo to the New York Yankees, who finally secure a lefty power bat to balance their righty-heavy lineup.
The Yanks will send back a haul of prospects in return, including pitcher Glen Otto, infielder Ezequiel Duran, shortstop Josh Smith and and second baseman/outfielder Trevor Hauer. The Yankees are also receiving lefty reliever Joely Rodriguez in the deal, the team confirmed on Thursday afternoon.
Rodriguez, 29, has allowed 19 runs and 32 hits through 27.1 innings of work this season, striking out 30 along the way. It was initially reported that John King would be the southpaw reliever coming to New York with Gallo, but the deal was reportedly restructured.
King holds a 3.52 ERA through 46 innings of work this season, his second in the big leagues. The 26-year-old is currently on the IL with shoulder inflammation.
In addition to adding Rodriguez to the bullpen after trading away Luis Cessa and Justin Wilson earlier this week, it is also being reported by Joel Sherman of the New York Post that the Rangers will pay both Gallo and Rodriguez's salaries for the remainder of the 2021 season, keeping the Yankees in play to make another trade while still achieving their goal of staying under the luxury tax threshold, which has been a clear motivator in recent years.
None of the prospects headed to Texas were in the Yankees' top 13 at the beginning of the season, per MLB Pipeline, though those rankings come after a lost minor league season in 2020.
Gallo has spent his entire career with the Rangers since being drafted by the club with the 39th overall pick in the 2015 draft.
The 27 year old has had an up and down seven years with the club, hitting just .211 in 568 career games. However, he's one of the game's premier power hitters with 145 career home runs.
After years of moving positions, Gallo has turned himself into one of the best outfielders in MLB, winning and was well on his way to winning his second straight American League Gold Glove award.
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