The Atlanta Braves Should Consider Joey Gallo This Off-Season

The Atlanta Braves could look to add a big bat to their lineup and the Texas Rangers may want to begin a rebuild. A trade between the two teams could make a lot of sense.

The Atlanta Braves could consider bringing back Marcell Ozuna this off-season. His bat was a perfect fit in the middle of the Braves lineup.

Yet, there is no guarantee that Ozuna returns to Atlanta next season. He took the one-year “prove it” deal and he did exactly that, finishing sixth in the NL MVP race.

There will be many suitors for his services this off-season. Potentially even more teams if MLB ever officially announces anything regarding the Designated Hitter in the National League.

There is a real possibility that Marcell Ozuna is playing

Left Field

DH for another team in 2021.

Which means the Atlanta Braves would need to find a replacement for Ozuna’s bat. Enter Joey Gallo and the Texas Rangers.

The Texas Rangers are nowhere near competing. Outside of Gallo, they are arguably a AAAA team.

They are projected for a negative WAR from position players not named Joey Gallo. That is not ideal.

There is not much help on the way either, their farm system was ranked 24th in MLB’s 2020 midseason rankings.

They are probably regretting not trading Mike Minor and Lance Lynn when their values were at their highest the past two trade deadlines.

The Rangers do not have a ton of money committed for 2021, so they could look to be aggressive in free agency. Yet, that is not going to help them long-term, it will probably just prolong their inevitable need to overhaul everything and rebuild.

If they choose to do so, that means trading Joey Gallo. Gallo has two years of control left on his contract, which could be attractive for a team in win-now mode like the Atlanta Braves.

Right now, he is projected anywhere from $5-$6 million in arbitration. Not exactly breaking the bank, even with the unique financial circumstances that teams are facing due to Covid-19.

Gallo’s down year in 2020 could make him cheaper in terms of the prospects it would require acquiring him.

Joey Gallo has a career 110 wRC+ (Runs Created/Scaled) and was on pace for a 6 WAR season in 2019 before injuries slowed him down. Plus, his elite power could play really well with the short porch in right field in Atlanta.

Remember, the Ranger’s new stadium was very pitcher friendly in its first year. A healthy Gallo in a more hitter friendly ball park could do wonders for his stat-line.

Yes, his batting average and strikeout rate is not ideal, especially for old-school baseball fanatics. However, most of his metrics throughout his career shows he is an above average hitter.

Joey Gallo is not a superstar, but a pretty solid power bat that could potentially be a great fit in the Atlanta Braves lineup. There would be a lot of baseballs hit into The Chophouse.

Also, Gallo has been a plus defender at all three outfield spots, so he is not just a DH. He has a positive UZR, DRS, and OAA for his career.

He also has the ability to play some first base. Which could be beneficial when the Braves choose to give Freddie Freeman a day off.

Even if the Braves re-sign Marcell Ozuna, Gallo could still make sense for the Atlanta Braves. He would be a great platoon partner with Adam Duvall.

Adding Joey Gallo could give the Braves one of the deeper lineups, not just in the National League, but in all of Major League Baseball.

If the Texas Rangers choose to make Joey Gallo available this off-season, the Atlanta Braves should at least check in on the price tag.