The Jays’ options for signing a left-handed batting outfielder are dwindling.
Within minutes of each other, two of these options, Joey Gallo and Andrew Benintendi signed for the Minnesota Twins and Chicago White Sox respectively.
At the start of free agency, those two plus Michael Conforto and Michael Brantley were the four outfielders I saw as replacements for Teoscar Hernández on the free agent market.
Let’s look at the two outfielders that signed on Friday afternoon.
Joey Gallo:
I was most intrigued by Gallo, as he had a 122 wRC+ in 2021. Yes, he has a ton of swing and miss in his game (career 37.3 K%), but he also walks a ton (career 14.8 BB%) and mashes homers (177 home runs in 2811 plate appearances).
Furthermore, between 2020 and 2021, he had a Defensive Runs Saved of 25 and an Outs Above Average of nine. Would I have wanted the Jays to commit a one-year deal worth $11,000,000 for Gallo? I’m not too sure about that.
Joey Gallo will get $11 million in his deal with the Twins, sources tell ESPN. He’s still just 29. With a solid season this year — remember, he put up 4.7 Wins Above Replacement in 2021 — he’s still primed to do well next year. But no doubt: This is a make-or-break season …
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Author: Brennan Delaney / Blue Jays Nation
