The Joey Gallo Experiment Should Be Over

[Cody Pirkl]

In predictable fashion, this article was written hours before Joey Gallo's first four-hit game since May 2019. Does one game undo the damage Gallo has done to the lineup for the last three months?

Image courtesy of Mitch Stringer, USA Today

This winter the Twins “got their guy”, signing Joey Gallo to a one-year $11 million deal. As we’ve seen so many times, the veteran they brought in is likely making the last stop of his career in Minnesota, and they refuse to cut bait.

Signing Joey Gallo was always a risky move, but an understandable one. Though the thought of parting with another left-handed bat to relieve the logjam never came to fruition, there was potential for a big bounce back. It hasn’t happened as we march into August, and the Twins appear content giving an out away every time through the lineup for the rest of the season as they desperately hope for the deal to not look like a complete flop.

The stars seemingly aligned for Joey Gallo at the trade deadline. He was the most apparent cut candidate had they made an offensive addition, but luckily for Gallo, they did absolutely nothing. It’s possible he’d have survived any additions because of his price tag and the Twins' tendencies to hold onto veterans too long, but we’ll never know for sure.

Things have gotten even better for Gallo since, as Alex Kirilloff and Donovan Solano have both hit the injured list. As the only remaining player who’s played a significant amount of first base this season, surely they can’t part with Gallo now, right?

It should be simple: No amount of context at this point justifies Joey Gallo sticking to a competitive team’s roster. The hits have come less and less, naturally leading to fewer homers to make up for the lack of anything else. More importantly for the team on pace to break the all-time strikeout record, Gallo’s whiffs have become insurmountable. 

The Twins seem to value his defense at first base. He’s been exactly neutral with 0 Defensive Runs Saved, and 0 Outs Above Average. This is hardly a high bar to clear, and his ability to stand at first base should not justify a roster spot. Many have called for players such as Edouard Julien to diversify their defensive profiles and work some first base in, but the Twins' refusal to date leaves them with the current result.

So what should the Twins do exactly? Anything else. In the past, the Twins keeping players such as Matt Wallner down was justified by the possibility that they’d perform worse than the incumbents. Unless we think whoever is called up can somehow undershoot a .130ish batting average and strike out more than half the time, that really shouldn’t be a concern here. 

The Twins' best players this season have been rookies called up from St. Paul. Right now Chris Williams plays a lot of first base for the Saints. He’s slashing .254/.371/.540 with 19 homers in Triple-A. There may not be much upside there at age 26, but it’s reached a point where it’s worth giving it a try. Anthony Prato has some first-base experience as well and has a 1.093 OPS. If the Twins are comfortable at all with him at first, the move should be a no-brainer. Both players perform better against lefties than righties, but so has Gallo this season.

The first base depth may take a hit, but the Twins still have Kyle Farmer and Christian Vazquez with first-base experience, and they felt good enough about Solano to keep him off the IL. They have people who are technically capable of playing the position, which has seemingly been enough to justify Gallo keeping his roster spot for months now.

There’s no rebound on the horizon for Joey Gallo. He’s averaging about one hit per week, and the walks aren’t valuable enough to justify his near everyday playing time. He’s rarely even putting balls over the fence anymore. Despite the remaining strength of schedule, the Twins are in a dogfight for the division, as evidenced by their 1-6 record against Detroit and Kansas City since the break. The time has come and gone to blindly trust the veterans. In the case of Joey Gallo, there are no worse options. Do you agree?

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[CRF]

Of course not...but the guy had 4 hits last night and 2 big flys. I don't care if a lefty or righty is pitching today...he should be in the lineup. 

[Boswell]

How wonderful to keep the faith with Joey Gallo!  Wow, Thad Levine must really have a handle on who Gallo is and what kind of character he brings to the club!

More seriously, “The Joey Gallo Experiment” could only have been done in Minnesota, in 2023.  We are all such nice, patient and _stoic_ followers of the team that any other “fanbase” would have also given him the Bronx Cheer.

Meanwhile, our division mates have indeed given us the opportunity to lollygag our way to the playoffs.  
 

Since the path to a World Series title is loaded with the sense of “if ifs and buts were candy and nuts, we’d all have a Merry Christmas”, let’s add “if Joey Gallo plays like an All-Star in October and November” to the pile. 
 

(nota bene, Nick Nelson!) 😊

[weitz41]

I'm not a fan of having my foot in my mouth. Some of my comments about Kepler and Pagan apply. So, to TRY and be neutral on Gallo...I have not been a fan of the signing. Not because of what Gallo brings, but because of the guys in AAA because of it. He's a pro and a multiple time gold glover and if I remember right multiple time all-star. So, I get the play for upside. With Kirilloff being injured to start the season and again now, there's some sense to it as well. In hindsight Bellinger would have made more sense and then no need to trade for Taylor and you'd have your 1B coverage as well. August 1st was the time to move on, it didn't happen. So, he'll be part of the team thru the last game of this season. Like it or not.

[old nurse]

Solano has not hit the injured lest. Either the blogger is thinking of someone else , as 5 position players on the IL, or is being sloppy with the facts. 

[gman]

Too late to trade him, if that was really ever an option. I'm all for bringing anyone up to replace him. Even if we have a revolving door with 3A trying out guys.

[mikelink45]

Move on!  I have written so much negative about Gallo I can only say let him go now - he goes out on a high note.  How great. 

[twins_89]

I doubt that I've ever wanted to waive a guy coming off a 4-4 game with 2 HRs, but Gallo needs to go. He's been so bad for so long that I just can't convince myself that he's somehow going to turn a corner and finish out the season strong.

[USAFChief]

Right or wrong, I'd Wager there's no decision on Gallo unless/until Kirilloff returns to the active roster. Then I don't know what the Twins will do.

But they clearly believe they need him at first base.

[Reptevia]

“This winter the Twins “got their guy””.   Well, they got A guy. 

[Twins GFP]

The Twins consider the need for him at 1B to be real.  Whether we as fans like it or not, that won't change.  You can scream about bringing guys up to play that position all you want, but in reality there is really nobody to replace him.  He strikes out way too much for my tastes, but in today's game, he does have value.  As of yesterday for the year:
WAR = 0.6
OPS+ = 109

Personally, I think that Gallo takes too much of the negative brunt of the offense in general.  I bet if you look at the TD posts and articles, Gallo (along with the other two musketeers Kepler and Pagan) receive an incredibly high number of negative posts compared to Correa and Vazquez, (and to a lesser degree Buxton) who are way more to blame for the Twins current problems.

His overall offensive numbers are pretty close to his career averages.  He is a low-end starter with great defensive value.  He is what he is.  People need to stop complaining about this and move on.  He isn't going anywhere.
 

[Peter]

I admit I’m guilty of badmouthing Gamlo but he’s turned it up with 4 hits/2 home runs last night-today made game ending double play. He’s alright. Glad he’s on our team!!!

[jkcarew]

I think Rocco and the club covet his defensive flexibility. Doesn’t matter if you’re ‘neutral’, if neutral is better than the alternative AND your neutral at 3 different positions.

That’s the argument, anyway. It might be a thin argument or plain horrible…if you could trust Kirilloff’s health. Still, it’s hard to fathom Buxton (who Gallo has been better than, btw), Lewis, and Kirilloff all returning and Gallo surviving.

But it would not shock me in the least if rotating 10-day IL ‘injuries’ through the end of the year are used to keep guys like Luplow, Solano, Farmer, and Gallo around longer than any of us anticipate.

[Linus]

This just in…Lindbergh baby kidnapped. 

[jdgoin]

The Joey Gallo Experiment Should Never Have Started.

[Riverbrian]

1 hour ago, Fire Dan Gladden said:

The Twins consider the need for him at 1B to be real.  Whether we as fans like it or not, that won't change.  You can scream about bringing guys up to play that position all you want, but in reality there is really nobody to replace him.  He strikes out way too much for my tastes, but in today's game, he does have value.  As of yesterday for the year:
WAR = 0.6
OPS+ = 109

Personally, I think that Gallo takes too much of the negative brunt of the offense in general.  I bet if you look at the TD posts and articles, Gallo (along with the other two musketeers Kepler and Pagan) receive an incredibly high number of negative posts compared to Correa and Vazquez, (and to a lesser degree Buxton) who are way more to blame for the Twins current problems.

His overall offensive numbers are pretty close to his career averages.  He is a low-end starter with great defensive value.  He is what he is.  People need to stop complaining about this and move on.  He isn't going anywhere.
 

I agree that Buxton, Correa and Vazquez are more to blame if we must assign blame which I don't like doing. A team is a team. However, those three will be back next year and the year after that. A little more patience will be required of them.  

Gallo, Kepler and Pagan don't have to be back next year. Getting out from under these three is actually possible if necessary. 

[The Mad King]

Julien, Chris Williams, my dog... All better options at this point

[specialiststeve]

Any logical baseball fan would agree. Gallo should go. 

[RpR]

17 minutes ago, specialiststeve said:

Any logical baseball fan would agree. Gallo should go. 

A paralogical statement based solely on emotion.

[dxpavelka]

Cut him and put pursuit of strikeout records in jeopardy?  PREPOSTEROUS.

 

[dxpavelka]

We dumped Sano for this???

[Major League Ready]

12 hours ago, Riverbrian said:

I agree that Buxton, Correa and Vazquez are more to blame if we must assign blame which I don't like doing. A team is a team. However, those three will be back next year and the year after that. A little more patience will be required of them.  

Gallo, Kepler and Pagan don't have to be back next year. Getting out from under these three is actually possible if necessary. 

Why would you want to "get out from under" Kepler and Pagan right now. especially Kepler?  We should put Buxton in to be an automatic out because he is here long-term and get rid of Kepler who is playing great on both sides of the ball?

[Riverbrian]

1 hour ago, Major League Ready said:

Why would you want to "get out from under" Kepler and Pagan right now. especially Kepler?  We should put Buxton in to be an automatic out because he is here long-term and get rid of Kepler who is playing great on both sides of the ball?

To be clear.

I was responding to Fire Dan Gladden who stated:  Gallo (along with the other two musketeers Kepler and Pagan) receive an incredibly high number of negative posts compared to Correa and Vazquez, (and to a lesser degree Buxton) who are way more to blame for the Twins current problems. 

Hopefully that puts my post in proper context as a possible suggestion to why Gallo, Kepler and Pagan get a higher proportion of fan targeting compared to Correa, Vazquez and Buxton. 

That's one explanation... along with the performance of those three over the past two years. 

How do I feel personally?

Kepler:

Play him... keep playing him... he's as hot as anybody in Baseball right now. He should be in the lineup a lot. Let's see if he can keep it going through the rest of the season. He's playing bigger than any trade acquisition right now. 

However... I WOULD HAVE CUT HIM IN JUNE BASED ON PERFORMANCE. His roster spot was already available for someone else. He isn't having this hot streak for us because I already cut him. 2 and half years of below average play is more than worthy of a cut. 

Pagan: 

I wouldn't have brought him back this season. The front office brought him back and I give everyone a chance. I have not suggested cutting him this season based on his performance. I think every spot in the bullpen is high leverage and Pagan has earned a spot. Even if I felt that he didn't earn a spot going into the season. 

Gallo: 

I wouldn't have signed him in the off-season. Once he was signed... I gave him a chance. He had a great first month. He has been very bad since. The K% is too much. The Batting Average is too little. 

I would HAVE CUT HIM IN JUNE BASED ON PERFORMANCE. His roster spot was already available for anybody else by now.

  

[Trov]

I do not understand how baseball has changed so much when it comes to players like him and Kyle Schwarber continue to get paid and play as much as they do.  I get it that HR have huge value in the game, and so when you can do it, we do not care how much they hit nothing but HR.  Personally, I find their style of hitting boring and not worth watching.  I hate just watching either HR or strike out for most part.  I believe MLB is trying to get more entertainment and action back into the game, and players like them will be looked down on again.  We used to think if you hit under .200 it did not matter how much power you had, because you were not helping the team win.  Now, as long as you OPS is high enough we do not care if you strike out 50% of time because your overall "value" is there. 

I used to get annoyed when Mauer would take a walk with runner on third and less than 2 outs when he would let a strike go right down the middle, then we would not score in the inning.  I would take that now over watching the amount of strikeouts Gallo throws up. 

[John Belinski]

I am surprised the Twins have not played Julian at first base. I think he has played some games there in the minors. It seems like first base is the easiest infield spot to play.  When Lewis comes back we could keep Julian's bat in the lineup if he were playing first base. If a catcher can play first base then another infielder like Julian should be able to play there. We need His bat in the lineup everyday and first base seems like a good spot for him. since we have a good second baseman. When Lewis comes back we would have a good infield with Julian at first base.

[Twins GFP]

14 hours ago, Riverbrian said:

I agree that Buxton, Correa and Vazquez are more to blame if we must assign blame which I don't like doing. A team is a team. However, those three will be back next year and the year after that. A little more patience will be required of them.  

Gallo, Kepler and Pagan don't have to be back next year. Getting out from under these three is actually possible if necessary. 

I actually think it should be the exact opposite.  There should be little to no patience for Buxton, Correa, and Vazquez.  They were brough in to be the foundation of this offense and are the main reason why the Twins are not 15-20 games over .500.

Pretty easy to rail on the 2nd and 3rd tier guys.  They are 2nd and 3rd tier guys for a reason.  Dissect and destroy the top guys every day.  They have earned that scrutiny. 

[JD-TWINS]

14 hours ago, Riverbrian said:

I agree that Buxton, Correa and Vazquez are more to blame if we must assign blame which I don't like doing. A team is a team. However, those three will be back next year and the year after that. A little more patience will be required of them.  

Gallo, Kepler and Pagan don't have to be back next year. Getting out from under these three is actually possible if necessary. 

Kepler & Pagan have performed well enough to be on the Club going forward…….maybe not popular but realistic.

Gallo has proven he can’t be part of a positive offense more than 3-4 times per month.

One thing the author conveniently omitted (from Mr. old school/non-analytics):

Gallo’s OPS is .770 & his OPS+ is 109……254 AB’s - 20 HR

……………………

Kyle Schwarber DH’s for Philadelphia and his line is m, LEADS LEAGUE in Strikeouts, OPS is .751 & OPS+ is 104………433 AB’s - 30 HR - 1 HR every 14.43AB’s

………………….

National press applauds Kyle Schwarber  & not so much with Gallo. If Gallo had another 180 AB’s (Schwarber’s total) he’d have 30 HR or more - right? 1 HR every 12.7 AB’s (34 total HR) AND he plays defense at 4 different positions.

The Organization is doing a few things you elude to: Keeping roster in tact for Clubhouse morale - insurance for various defensive spots - recouping entire investment by getting Gallo to October 2 with the expanded roster through September. They’ll put him on IL before DFAing him just so they can dress him through September.

Having him around is a problem remaining 14 games of August…….roster expands x 2 in September. Probably, don’t dress him in October BUT have the option in case guys go down with injury.

Castro may need an IL stint? Gallo to the IL is a way to get him to September as well? After Saturday he should probably get some more AB’s this week. With Kirilloff & Buxton out this should be doable.

Who moves when Lewis is back?……I think Castro’s back will deem he go to IL.

[Riverbrian]

32 minutes ago, Fire Dan Gladden said:

I actually think it should be the exact opposite.  There should be little to no patience for Buxton, Correa, and Vazquez.  They were brough in to be the foundation of this offense and are the main reason why the Twins are not 15-20 games over .500.

Pretty easy to rail on the 2nd and 3rd tier guys.  They are 2nd and 3rd tier guys for a reason.  Dissect and destroy the top guys every day.  They have earned that scrutiny. 

I think those guys got railed on a fair amount but with them you have limited options because Buxton, Correa and Vazquez have crooked numbers left on their contract. Moving them down in the order or benching them are your only two options. 

Kepler, Gallo and Pagan on the other hand are free agents after this season (Club Option with Kepler). They don't have to be back after this season so there is really no need to be tolerant or patient with poor performance.  

I can't speak for everyone but that is why I personally focused on Kepler and Gallo while being aware of that Buxton, Correa and Vazquez have also disappointed. 

I haven't really targeted Pagan this year.  

 

[Vanimal46]

15 hours ago, jdgoin said:

The Joey Gallo Experiment Should Never Have Started.

Agreed. I’ve posted something similar before… Gallo was a 4.7 bWAR / 4.2 fWAR player in 2021. It was a reasonable gamble to assume 2022 was a fluke year and he could bounce back to be a 3-4 WAR player in 2023. After each passing month it has been more and more obvious that 2022 is not a fluke, and he is trending towards being out of baseball. 

The experiment should have ended months ago. But I don’t blame him specifically. I place the blame more on the FO for not preparing more prospects to play multiple positions. Give me more of the Dodgers’ development philosophy. It’s crazy that there is no one else in the system capable of playing 1B for the Twins. 

[Whitey333]

Yes we have a lot of underachieving on this team.  It's funny hiw Gallo has one good day out of over 100 and some people think he is all of a sudden worth it.  Come on, get serious people.  He's been holding the team back most of the season.  Hopefully he's gone after the season.  Seems like a wasted 11 million dollars.  11 mil doesn't buy much any more these days.