Texas Rangers trade rumors: Padres are interested in Joey Gallo

As we begin to creep closer and closer to the MLB trade deadline, some clarity will begin to emerge in regards to who is most likely to be moved. Following a report where Texas Rangers‘ outfielder Joey Gallo was named a top 40 trade candidate this summer, an additional report has now dropped naming the San Diego Padres as an interested suitor.

According to The Athletic’s Dennis Lin, the Padres are “particularly interested” in Gallo, an interest that dates back to last year’s trade deadline when San Diego made a flurry of win-now type roster moves.

Despite possessing a roster that’s full of elite-tier talent like Fernando Tatis Jr. and Manny Machado, the Padres offense hasn’t been as good as their front office were probably hoping it to be. They’re dealing with a few key injuries and some slumping hitters at the moment, but the lack of production from the outfield in particular is something that is likely to persist for San Diego over the course of the season.

The trio of Tommy Pham, Trent Grisham, and Will Myers is one that probably needs improving upon if the Padres want to compete with the likes of Los Angeles come postseason time. That’s where someone like Gallo really makes a ton of sense, as he’s a big bat who can play all three outfield positions comfortably.

The San Diego Padres have emerged as a realistic suitor for Texas Rangers outfielder Joey Gallo.

According to MLB Trade Rumors’ TC Zeneka, the Padres balked at a deal for the Texas Rangers outfielder in 2020 due to the price being too high, a scenario that might rear its head again here in 2020. The Rangers still have an extra year of team control on Gallo if they don’t like any of the offers they’re receiving, and Gallo has seen his OBP skyrocket .60+ points compared to 2020 due to a league-leading 45 walks.

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Here’s a bit of what MLBTR had to say about Gallo’s sneakily good numbers at the moment:

Even with diminished power outputs the past two seasons – .197 ISO in 2020 and .181 ISO this season – Gallo would be one of the higher-end pieces available, should the Rangers make him so.After all, even though his slugging percentage has fallen under .400 SLG the past two seasons, Gallo has begun to bounce back this year thanks to an above-average ability to get on base (18.7 percent walk rate). Through 241 plate appearances, he now has a 119 wRC+ with a batting line of .207/.365/.389. He has an improved .226 ISO/.435 SLG since May 15th.

My guess is that the Rangers are going to try and hold onto Gallo as long as humanly possibly, attempting to drive up the price even further before finally accepting an offer. Gallo’s name has been a frequent appearer on the MLB “hot stove” the past three years, and yet the Rangers have still not moved the veteran outfielder.

However, the Padres have proven that they aren’t afraid of making a splash via the trade market in the past, and more teams are likely going to get in on the Gallo sweepstakes as the summer churns along.