The trade: The Los Angeles Dodgers acquire OF Joey Gallo from the New York Yankees for RHP Clayton Beeter.
From Juan Soto to ... Joey Gallo. That's probably not exactly how the Dodgers envisioned their trade deadline going. But maybe good Gallo will show up in Los Angeles! Or maybe not.
The grades are in ...
Obviously, Gallo has been atrocious for the Yankees, hitting .159/.282/.339. That would match Adam Dunn's .159 average in 2011 as the lowest batting average for a player with at least 273 plate appearances since Les Moss of the 1947 St. Louis Browns hit .157. So, yeah, it's been a rough go of things for Gallo in 2022.
So why would the Dodgers want him?
1. He does draw walks. His .282 OBP is still bad, but, hey, it's higher than Cody Bellinger's .265 mark.
2. He hits home runs. Sort of. In theory. His home run rate this year of 4.4% is better than the major league average of 2.9% -- but below his career mark of 6.4%. L.A. can hope he finds his swing again. After all, with the Rangers in 2021, before his trade to the Yankees, he hit .223/.379/.490, good for a 138 OPS+. At his best, even when he's just a .220 hitter, Gallo is an above-average offensive performer.
