*Photo from the Los Angeles Times*
They needed some power, and this is the definition of power. The Minnesota Twins and OF Joey Gallo have agreed to a one year, $11 million deal, according to ESPN's Jeff Passan. The Twins have confirmed the addition.
Gallo is coming off a dismal 2022 season, split between the New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers. He was worth just 0.2 WAR according to baseball reference in 2022, with most of his struggles coming in a Yankees uniform. Things were a little better with the Dodgers, but still bad.
One thing Gallo can do a lot of is hit home runs. The Twins took a step back in the power department in 2022, with only two hitters in their 2022 lineup exceeding 20 long balls. Gallo has two seasons of at least 40 home runs under his belt, and is one year removed from a 38 homer season in 2021. He also garnered all star game selections in 2019 and 2021.
Last season, Gallo played in 82 games with the Yankees and 44 with the Dodgers. He ended the season with a .160 batting average, .357 slugging percentage, and .638 OPS, mashing 19 home runs with 47 RBI's in 126 games played. He appeared in one playoff game as a defensive replacement.
Minnesota president of baseball operations Derek Falvey said of Gallo that "We're thrilled to have Joey. His resume speaks for itself. He’s a multi-time Gold Glove winner, a multi-time All-Star. We think he fits our team really well. A guy who can go play anywhere in the outfield and by all accounts has tremendous skills over at first base as well."
Another thing Gallo can bring to the Twins is above average defense. He took home gold glove awards in 2020 and 2021, and has experience in each outfield position. He has played in 284 games in left field, followed by 209 games in right field, even mixing in 56 games in center field.
Gallo has 8 major league seasons under his belt, split between the Yankees, Dodgers, and Texas Rangers. In that time, he has recorded a .199 batting average, .325 on base percentage, and .469 slugging percentage, adding 386 RBI's on top of 177 home runs in 752 games played. He has gone hitless in 4 career plate appearances in the postseason.
The signing of Gallo is the 3rd notable move of the offseason for the Twins, who also signed catcher Christian Vazquez and traded away 3rd baseman Gio Urshela to the Los Angeles Angels.
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