The New York Yankees have been known to covet Joey Gallo. The Texas Rangers outfielder has the type of power swing from the left side that is tailor made for Yankee Stadium, making him someone that the Yankees would love to slot into the middle of their lineup. It has just been a matter of finding the right mix of players to get the Rangers to entice them to trade Gallo to the Bronx.
That long awaited deal has finally happened. The Yankees are receiving Gallo and reliever John King for a plethora of prospects, as the Rangers will be getting six minor leaguers in return.
The Texas Rangers will receive RHP Glenn Otto, 2B Ezequiel Duran, SS Josh Smith and 2B/OF Trevor Hauver as part of the package from the New York Yankees in the Joey Gallo trade, sources tell ESPN.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 29, 2021
Rangers are getting massive haul of prospects in this deal. Others involved, too.
New York Yankees finally get their man in Joey Gallo
While Gallo will receive a great deal of attention for his bat, he is far more than a hefty slugger. His 139 OPS+ this season is certainly impressive as he has been the ultimate Three True Outcome hitter, belting 25 homers with a major league leading 74 walks and 125 strikeouts in 388 plate appearances.
Gallo also gives the Yankees the type of defensive presence in the outfield that they have sorely needed. He has saved an American League leading 27 runs in right since the start of the 2020 season, and may well win his second Gold Glove award this year.
Additionally, the Yankees have landed a controllable left handed reliever in King. He has posted a 3.52 ERA and a 1.152 WHiP in his 46 innings, striking out 40 batters with 12 walks. King has done an impressive job of keeping the ball in the yard, allowing just three homers while 57.7% ground ball rate would play up well in Yankee Stadium.
In exchange, the Rangers are getting literally a busload of prospects thrown at them. Trevor Hauver had made headlines earlier this season as he homered in each of his first five games. While he slowed down from that tremendous start, he has produced a solid .288/.445/.498 batting line in 299 plate appearances with nine homers and 17 doubles, drawing 64 walks with 78 strikeouts. There are questions as to where he will ultimately play, as he had not taken to the outfield well in college and may not stick at second.
Glenn Otto is the only piece that has a realistic chance of impacting the Rangers this season. He has posted a 3.33 ERA and a 1.018 WHiP in his 75.2 innings, striking out 115 batters with 17 walks. He has a plus curve and the spin rate of his fastball allows it to play up, but his violent delivery and issues harnessing his changeup could push him into a relief role.
The rest of the trade is about the future. Ezequiel Duran, Everson Pereira, Josh Smith, and Randy Vasquez are all in A-ball at this point, and are years away from the majors. The Rangers are essentially hoping that they can find a long term answer for the roster out of that collection.
Joey Gallo is on the move as the New York Yankees finally have their man. It just took a literal busload of prospects to make the deal happen.