3 moves we’re glad the Texas Rangers made in 2021

Trading Joey Gallo

Don’t hate me for this one. We could’ve gone the easy way here with something like DFA’ing Khris Davis or calling up some of the young guys down the stretch. But let me explain.

No one wanted to see the Texas Rangers trade Joey Gallo. He was the team’s longest-tenured player after Rougned Odor and Elvis Andrus were shipped out in trades to the Yankees and A’s, respectively.

But it was a great move in hindsight. The Rangers got four really good players for Gallo in Josh H. Smith and Ezequiel Duran, both of whom are now top-10 prospects in the farm system, Trevor Hauver and Glenn Otto, who flashed potential on the mound this past season.

As for the Yankees’ side of things, Gallo really struggled. Of course that was tough to watch, but for now, it’s hard not to consider that deadline deal a win for the Rangers. Given a chance to bolster the minor league ranks, Texas did. That’s necessary during a rebuild. And let’s be honest: Gallo was by far their most tradeable asset. You don’t need to look further than the returns they got for him in comparison to the one they received for veteran pitchers Kyle Gibson and Ian Kennedy.

The Rangers already had a deep farm system before the Gallo trade. Now, it’s even deeper so that when Texas wants to dip into its stock to trade for a big league player down the line, it becomes so much easier. Gallo can also return to the Rangers in free agency next year, if that’s any consolation. Talk about a heist.

If any of the four players the Rangers got for Gallo end up becoming impactful contributors, or help Texas land a star, you’ll appreciate the trade even more. It sure was painful seeing Joey in pinstripes, and it might still be in 2022, but when the dust settles, you’ll see that the Rangers did much more good than bad by parting ways with their most popular player.