Texas Rangers: 2 teams that can offer the most for Joey Gallo in a trade

Texas Rangers trade partner: San Diego Padres

The Padres have been linked to Gallo frequently this season.

The Padres and Rangers are on different ends of the spectrum from a contention standpoint. As a result, the two acting as trade partners this summer is an intriguing proposition.

San Diego’s perceived desire to acquire Gallo speaks more to the team’s winning window than it does to filling an immediate need. The outfield in Southern California is crowded, and speculation about whether the Padres would send back a big-leaguer back to Texas in a potential trade is a fair question to ask.

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And that perceived desire has gone a step further, as reports indicate that San Diego has remained “interested” in the Rangers outfielder.

There are no mincing words — the Rangers’ 21st-ranked farm system is in need of a boost, and the Padres’ sixth-ranked minor-league group can help the cause.

Determining the exact value in return for Gallo would purely be speculation, but it’s safe to say that the slugger would act as one of the top position players available prior the league’s July 30 trade deadline, if the Rangers do in fact choose to actively shop him.

That fact alone should garner Texas prospects in return that rank 5-10 in any given team’s system.

Additionally, San Diego’s stacked lineup is struggling to produce runs, only furthering the case to trade for Gallo’s big bat.

Potential trade targets from Padres:

Justin Lange (RHP)

Lange, the 34th overall pick in the most recent player’s draft, ranks as the Padres’ sixth-best prospect, according to MLB.com. With a plus fastball and above-average slider, his emergence through the Padres’ system has come quicker than initially expected.

Joshua Mears (OF) 

Mears was selected in the second round of the 2019 MLB Draft. For the 20-year old, it’s about the power he displays at the plate. If the Padres opt to not be as patient as they may have to be with Mears, the Rangers’ opportunity to take advantage of the potential trade-chip grows even more.

Mason Thompson (RHP)

Selected in the third-round of the 2016 MLB Draft, and coming at a height of 6-foot-7, Thompson could be a pitcher that spends time at the big-league level sooner rather than later.

Texas Rangers trade partner: New York Yankees

The Yankees have also been linked to Gallo frequently this season.

The right-handed heavy lineup in the Bronx is in need of a boost, and Yankees general manager Brian Cashman may be one of the executives at the other end of a phone call with the Rangers’ brass.

Yankee Stadium has served left-handed power hitters well in its history, but New York’s potential desire to acquire Gallo may also align with the team’s needs defensively.

The Yankees’ lack of confidence in outfielder Giancarlo Stanton playing the field, along with the long-term injury to centerfielder Aaron Hicks puts the team in a position to seriously give Gallo a look.

The team is stuck in a rut as well, with a long way to go if they’d like to climb back into the AL East and Wild Card playoff pictures.

Potential trade targets from Yankees:

Estevan Florial (OF)

According to talent evaluators, Florial is currently dealing with a lot of the same issues that plagued Gallo early in his career — pull-happy with a high-strikeout rate. However, the 23-year old’s power-speed combination is worth inquiring about from Texas’ perspective, based on upside at the plate alone.

Oswald Peraza (SS)

Peraza is the Yankees’ fourth-ranked prospect, according to MLB.com. With plus defense at shortstop, and potential to be speed-threat at the big-league level, the Rangers are bound to inquire about Peraza if Cashman and Yankees come calling about Gallo.