Yankees: 4 players who should be traded this offseason

2. Joey Gallo

*Insert Simpsons GIF of old guy walking in and out of random establishment*

Because of Cashman’s failure to balance this lineup with lefties (they really came into 2021 relying on Aaron Hicks to provide most of those lefty at-bats), he had to go out and acquire two at the trade deadline. One was Rizzo and the other was Joey Gallo, who, for some reason, was among the leading candidates fans wanted to see grab a midseason role.

OK, sure, bolstering your team with players who are theoretically good is never a bad thing, but Gallo was a carbon copy of what this Yankees team already had and didn’t need. In fact, all they needed was his Gold Glove-caliber defense in the outfield, and they didn’t even get that because they played him in left, which was the outfield spot he had the least experience with.

On offense, Gallo was dreadful. He was below average in just about every single category despite finally being protected by superior hitters after wasting away on a lowly Rangers team for years. He hit .160 with a .707 OPS. He had just 22 RBI in 58 games. He struck out 88 times in 228 plate appearances. He was an All-Star before arriving in New York … and then promptly became one of the game’s most incompetent hitters during the second half.

Are we sure the Yankees want to play closer to $10 million for Gallo in 2022, which is his final year before free agency? Trading him with a full year of club control remaining could coax another team to bite. When all was said and done, Gallo’s 2021 numbers weren’t far off from his career averages. Plus, another team could actually use him where he’s comfortable defensively.

At this point, wouldn’t you rather an extended look at Estevan Florial, Greg Allen, or literally almost anybody else in free agency that would be cheaper and bring a different element to the game than the redundant Gallo does?