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.