Minnesota Twins may be Joey Gallo’s last chance

Joey Gallo needed a team to give him a chance. The Minnesota Twins needed a potential impact bat after Carlos Correa headed to San Francisco. Such a pairing seemed as though it would make sense.

The two sides came together on Friday. Jeff Passan of ESPN reported that the Twins signed Gallo to a one year contract worth $11 million, a hefty payday for the former slugger.

Joey Gallo has one last chance to prove himself with Minnesota Twins

There was a time when Gallo was one of the more feared sluggers in the game. He had been a dangerous part of the Rangers’ lineup, belting 35 or more homers three times. A two time All Star and two time Gold Glove winner, his immense power could change a game with one swing of a bat.

Everything fell apart after he was traded to the Yankees. He was unable to adjust to New York, failing to be that impact bat that the Yankees thought they had acquired for the stretch run. Then everything fell apart in 2022 as he became unplayable before being sent to the Dodgers at the trade deadline. Gallo had a miserable .160/.280/.357 batting line with 19 homers in his 410 plate appearances, drawing 56 walks while striking out 163 times.

Now he has to prove himself all over again. It is possible that being away from the pressure of New York and having an offseason to clear his mind will make a difference. The power is still there, potentially making Gallo a dangerous piece if he can stop being in his own head. Should that happen, the Twins’ $11 million contract could end up being a bargain.

Otherwise, that could mark the end for Gallo. He was always an extreme player, the poster child for the Three True Outcomes. That offensive style leads to horrific slumps and impressive hot streaks. At this point, he has been in a horrific slump for a year and a half.

The Minnesota Twins are hoping that a change of scenery can help Joey Gallo get back to form. This may be his last chance to prove himself.