Yankees Rumors: Are Joey Gallo trade talks entering next phase?

BUFFALO, NEW YORK - JULY 16: Joey Gallo #13 of the Texas Rangers reacts after striking out during the sixth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Sahlen Field on July 16, 2021 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Joshua Bessex/Getty Images)
BUFFALO, NEW YORK - JULY 16: Joey Gallo #13 of the Texas Rangers reacts after striking out during the sixth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Sahlen Field on July 16, 2021 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Joshua Bessex/Getty Images)

Somebody wanna hit us straight with the Joey Gallo trade buzz? We’re sick of being ping-ponged back and forth.

And are the New York Yankees truly involved in discussions with the Texas Rangers? For the first time in years it feels like there’s no star player guaranteed to be changing uniforms at the trade deadline, right?

Maybe the Yankees are interested in Gallo and are discussing with the Rangers. Maybe they’re just trying to gauge to see if the price is right. Maybe they’re trying to gauge the price to assess the cost of other players who might be available.

Nonetheless, we were hit with conflicting reports on Wednesday, and now we don’t know what to think.

First came MLB insider Jon Heyman, who claimed that Gallo “has a good market” but some rival executives aren’t exactly sold that he’ll be traded before the clock strikes 4 p.m. ET.

I mean, are the 35-61 Rangers really going to build around Gallo, who will be 28 years old and one year away from free agency once 2022 arrives?

Where are the Yankees-Rangers Joey Gallo trade talks?

Maybe that’s their plan, but it doesn’t seem prudent. That would explain the previous reports suggesting an astronomical asking price for the lefty slugger.

But then we had Joel Sherman of the New York Post popping in to tell us that the Rangers’ top scouts were spotted at High-A Hudson Valley on Tuesday evening soaking in that Dutchess county sunset.

The Renegades have a good roster, featuring Anthony Volpe, Ezequiel Duran, Alexander Vizcaino, Josh Breaux and Josh Smith (though he’s injured at the moment). None of those prospects should be scoffed at, either. They’re mostly viewed favorably and figure to be relatively fast risers, which could explain the Rangers’ conducting their research.

Then again, Sherman is right. Do you pay attention to what goes on two weeks outside of trade deadline every year? Scouts are all over the place as teams prepare for every possible scenario. Such instances have gotten fans’ hopes up before in the past.

The Rangers are no doubt flying scouts around the country to check out various affiliates of teams interested in Gallo. Maybe they’re not going to deal him … but what if they end up getting an offer they feel like they can’t refuse?

Hard to believe the Yankees will be that team, though.