MLB Trade Rumors: Yankees' Eyeing Home Run Derby Contestant, Padres Could Be Interested

Joey Gallo has been considered a potential target of the New York Yankees for some time. Now that the 2021 MLB trade deadline is only a couple of weeks away, speculation about a possible deal between the Yankees and Texas Rangers is heating up.

New York has "consistently had eyes for Gallo," according to the New York Post's Joel Sherman. The Rangers' slugger has been one of MLB's top hitters since the start of June, making him an even more viable option for the Yankees.

Gallo was selected to the 2021 Home Run Derby because of his recent production. Since MLB informed teams on June 3 that it would start enforcing its ban on sticky substances, Gallo ranks second only to Shohei Ohtani with a 1.276 OPS. Gallo has 15 home runs over that span, giving him 24 homers before the All-Star break.

In April and May, Gallo hit .216 with nine home runs. Hitting .239/.402/.522 overall with a league-high 72 walks, Gallo was selected to his second straight All-Star Game.

Gallo reached the 40 home-run mark in both 2017 and 2018, and he was on pace to do so in 2019 with 22 homers in 70 games. Only a career .213 hitter, Gallo struggled mightily in last year's 60-game season with a .181 average and 10 homers.

Is Gallo back to being one of the best home-run hitters in baseball or is he merely riding a hot streak? Either way, the outfielder makes sense as a trade target for the Yankees, who are desperate to improve their roster.

With the Rangers in last place and Gallo only under Texas' control through the 2022 season, the 27-year-old is thought to be available at the right price. The left-handed Gallo would fit nicely into the Yankees' lineup, which is dominated by right-handers. Aaron Judge is the only everyday Yankee outfielder that has an OPS north of .667.

If New York makes a push to acquire Gallo, it could face competition from the San Diego Padres. Opposing executives expect Padres general manager A.J. Preller to be interested in Gallo, according to the Post.

The Yankees entered the All-Star game eight games out of first place in the AL East and 4.5 games out of the wild-card race. Only seven teams scored fewer runs than the Yankees in the first half of the season.