Phillies ‘possibly’ interested in Rangers slugger Joey Gallo
By Matt Rappa
The Phillies reportedly may be in the mix for Rangers slugger Joey Gallo
With less than 24 hours until the August 31 trade deadline, rumors are starting to pick up fast as it relates to the Philadelphia Phillies.
Given the Miami Marlins’ 12-7 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays on Sunday, the Phillies are now in sole possession of the fifth postseason spot in the National League. Winners of five straight games entering their nationally televised series finale against the Atlanta Braves, the Phillies are closer than ever to their first postseason berth since the 102-win 2011 season.
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As such, the Phils could be looking to significantly improve their roster. Milwaukee Brewers All-Star southpaw reliever Josh Hader was linked to the team earlier on Sunday, and now, another intriguing name has entered the rumor mill.
According to Dusty Baker of the Abilene, Texas-based BCH Sports, manager Joe Girardi‘s squad is “possibly” among the teams in the mix for six-year veteran Rangers slugger Joey Gallo. ESPN’s Jeff Passan reports that the Rangers have been discussing Gallo in potential trades, albeit the price on him is “high.”
While the 26-year-old Gallo has only slashed .211/.331/.511 in his career, including batting only .209 and .206 in 2017 and 2018, he combined for 81 home runs and 172 RBI across those two seasons to make up for it. Overall in his career, Gallo has 117 home runs across 446 games.
Gallo was named an All-Star for the first time in 2019, when in just 70 games he hit 22 home runs and 49 RBI. So far in 30 games this season (entering Sunday), the Henderson, Nevada, native has slugged seven homers and 16 RBI.
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If the Phillies were to acquire Gallo, he has plenty of big-league experience at first base, third base, and all three outfield positions. The Phillies have somewhat of a need at center field; also, they could look to possibly part ways with Rhys Hoskins and move Alec Bohm — who has been shaky so far at the hot corner — across the diamond to first. Gallo would then be their everyday third baseman.
Time will tell whether general manager Matt Klentak makes a big blockbuster move, such as for Hader or Gallo, ahead of the deadline.