Report: Yankees target smaller markets for Gallo trade
The New York Yankees are focusing on smaller markets as a possible landing spot in a trade for struggling outfielder Joey Gallo, a source told NJ Advance Media's Brendan Kuty.
The Milwaukee Brewers, San Diego Padres, Tampa Bay Rays, and Texas Rangers are considered potential fits for Gallo where he might be able to turn his season around with less scrutiny than the intense pressure he faces in New York, the source told Kuty.
The Yankees recently acquired outfielder Andrew Benintendi from the Kansas City Royals, and he'll likely cut into Gallo's playing time.
Gallo has struggled mightily in 2022. The 28-year-old owns a paltry .159 batting average with just 12 home runs and 24 RBIs while compiling a whopping 106 strikeouts in 81 games.
The Yankees acquired Gallo from the Rangers last July, hoping the slugger would complement Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton in the lineup.
Gallo acknowledged Thursday that his tenure in New York hasn't gone according to plan.
"I feel bad. It's something I'm gonna have to really live with for the rest of my life," Gallo told The Athletic's Lindsey Adler. "It's going to be tough. I didn't play well, I didn't live up to expectations. And that's a tough pill to swallow."