Yankees’ division rival among 3 rumored Joey Gallo trade destinations

New York Yankees fans have wanted nothing more than for Joey Gallo to pan out in pinstripes. Despite being given every opportunity — some would say more than his fair share — over the last two years, however, the former feared slugger has become a black hole in what has otherwise been a formidable lineup.

With the trade deadline fast approaching, Gallo figures to have a new home by late afternoon Tuesday. Luckily for the Yankees, there are multiple teams who feel as though a move away from the Bronx could do wonders for Gallo.

The only problem? One of those clubs is one of NYY’s foremost rivals.

According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the Brewers, Padres and Rays (!) are among the teams interested in Gallo before the deadline.

The Rays are reportedly showing interest in Yankees OF Joey Gallo.

Don’t be shocked if the Braves enter the Gallo sweepstakes. With Adam Duvall done for the year with a wrist injury, the reigning champs are in the market for an outfielder and Gallo personifies an ideal buy-low candidate for GM Alex Anthopoulos.

Whether it be the Braves, Brewers or Padres, who are seemingly linked with every available player, anybody but the Rays would suffice. Brian Cashman hasn’t shied away from doing business with Tampa Bay in the past and the Rays have developed a knack for turning rejects into serviceable role players.

The Yankees and Gallo need a permanent split; not the 28-year-old rediscovering his ferocious upper-cut swing in the AL East.

Maybe Gallo is so scarred from his time in the Bronx that even playing against the Yankees would mess with his head. Regardless, though, the last thing New York needs is Gallo giving the Wild Card-hopeful Rays a post-deadline spark.

While Tampa kicks the tires on Gallo and other targets, Jon Heyman of the New York Post confirmed the Brewers’ interest in the struggling outfielder.

Does this make Milwaukee the favorites to land Gallo? Not necessarily, but the more teams interested the better if you’re the Yankees. Ideally, Cashman should strive to jettison Gallo out of the American League altogether. At the very least, an inner-division trade should be the last course of action for the GM.

The question Yankees fas have to ask themselves is if they’d rather Gallo remain on the roster through the deadline — which would be its own disaster — or him to go Tampa and see a potential Ji-Man Choi situation unfold?

Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.

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