The Yankees were hoping Joey Gallo would bring lefty balance to the team’s righty-heavy lineup, while providing a jolt to an offense that had been painfully inconsistent from the start of the season.
Instead, Gallo struck out 88 times in 58 games and batted just .160 with a .707 OPS, significantly less than the .869 he put up with the Rangers before the trade.
Now, with one year left before free agency, the man who traded for him is expecting a lot more from the slugging outfielder.
“He didn’t play as well as he’s capable of playing,” Brian Cashman told reporters on Thursday night before sleeping outside in Manhattan to raise awareness for youth homelessness. “It’s not easy transferring from one city to another. It’s a new experience for him. I believe he’s very talented. Hopefully the two or three-month experience with us benefits him as he enters his free-agency walk year.”
Cashman said he isn’t worried about Gallo’s struggles in pinstripes, and still believes that the 28-year-old will be a productive bat in the Yankee lineup along with his elite defense. There isn’t much room to sink further down than the numbers he put up as a Yankee last season, but Cashman is expecting big improvements from Gallo, who was named an All-Star for the second time in his career just weeks before coming to New York.
“I don’t want to say there’s a concern,” Cashman said. “I think you’re gonna see a much better version of him, but that’s not saying much. He hit .190 with us.
“But he’s a threat every time up at the plate and I would bet we’ll see a much improved version of him next year for us. I feel very confident in saying that because he’s that talented.”
Follow Ryan Chichester on Twitter: @ryanchichester1
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