by Cary Greene
July 29, 2021
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Editor’s Note – Cary has sent a few pieces that were scheduled to be posted later this week . Included in a post that was not yet “live” on the site was the following:
Possible Trade Target #1 – Joey Gallo Every day we read about Joey Gallo being linked to the Yankees. Cashman is also rumored to be kicking the tires on Max Keplar and Sterling Marte. Many fans are indeed clamoring for Gallo, but trading for him would require significant prospects. I’ll play along though, as if any number of other teams won’t match the below package. A deal for Gallo would certainly sting because the Rangers absolutely want starting pitching, so if Cashman could land him, it would look very much like this: Potential Trade for Ranger’s Joey Gallo: Yankees Get: OF Joey Gallo – MLBRangers Get: One of RHP Dievi Garcia – Triple A, RHSP Clarke Schmidt – Triple A or both RHSP Yoendrys Gomez – Single A & RHSP Alexander Vizcaino High A to pair with SS Oswald Peraza- Double A.
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Earlier this week, I wrote that Joey Gallo was the Yankees #1 Trade Target.
Both centerfield and left field have been huge issues for the Yankees. I believe Giancarlo Stanton’s return to the outfield is imminent and I would look for Aaron Judge to cede right field to accommodate Stanton (on a part time basis). That leaves playing time in both centerfield and left field for Joey Gallo – and wow is he a perfect fit!
I knew there wasn’t another team in MLB that matched up better with the Rangers than the Yankees because I took the time to examine both team’s farm-systems and the common ground was obvious. We know that Brian Cashman always trades from an area of strength. The Yankees clearly have some pitching talent in their system (none of which ever seems to translate to actual big league pitchers) and New York also offers some middle-infielder depth – some of which I knew they would have to part with to address any trade deadline deals.
I envisioned a trade and it wasn’t actually that far off from what happened. My thoughts were that Texas would want quantity over quality, but I also knew they would be fixated on either Clarke Schmidt or Deivi Garcia. If not them, I knew they’d want a starting pitcher. Based on Gallo’s value, which wasn’t high enough due to his 1.5 remaining years of control, Texas decided to look at “breakout” talent instead of highly rated talent.
Who could blame them?
Texas will be getting a lot, including excellent pitcher Glen Otto, but they rolled the dice a bit in this trade with the quantity over quality approach. In this trade none of the Yankees pre-season top 10 minor leaguers was included.
I wrote earlier this month that “the Rangers absolutely want starting pitching, so if Cashman could land Gallo, it would involve a blend of pitching and middle infield talent.”
I had speculated that Gallo would be moved for Schmidt and SS Oswald Peraza. The Yankees obviously like Peraza and I think he was on the table, but Texas opted for mid-tier breakout guys. From a trade value perspective, this is a win-win for both teams. Subtract Peraza from the deal and you could easily add Duran and Hauver, plus Smith. Smith was the catch. I’m quite certain Texas insisted on Smith or “no-deal” and I think Cashman, eager to improve the Yankees and perhaps save his job (this offseason of course), threw him in. Because Smith was included, I think this is a sketchy trade long term for the Yankees. HIs inclusion is one that, I think some general managers would have paused at. His upside is very high.
Out of what Texas received below, the jewel of the bunch is Smith, who I feel is a future major league stud shortstop (and yes, he’s going to stick at the position). Meanwhile, Duran is also a stud so Texas basically traded Gallo for their future infield two years from now. Because of this, I love the deal for Texas and look forward to following all of the prospects they smartly chose. A fair trade hurts. This trade hurts the Yankees. (They’re also getting Gallo which takes a lot of the sting away – especially if Gallo helps them reach the playoffs and a World Series..)
Hauver was the Yankees’ second-round pick in 2020 out of Arizona State. He’s 22. In 66 Class A games this season, he’s hitting .288/.445/.498 with 17 doubles, nine homers and 49 RBI.
Duran, 22, has played in 67 games with Class A-Advanced Hudson Valley this year. He’s hitting .290/.374/.533 with 15 doubles, six triples, 12 homers, 48 RBI, 42 runs and 12 stolen bases.
Otto, 25, is 7-3 with a 3.33 ERA, 1.108 WHIP and 115 strikeouts against 17 walks in 75 2/3 innings between Class AA and Class AAA. He’s having a breakout season.
Smith was the Yankees’ second rounder out of LSU in 2019. He’s now 23. In 39 games between Class A and Class A-Advanced this year, he’s hit .324/.448/.641 with 12 doubles, three triples, nine homers, 24 RBI, 17 stolen bases and 44 runs scored.
We would love to hear your thoughts as always SSN readers! Go Bombers!!!
