The San Diego Padres are still interested in acquiring Texas Rangers slugger Joey Gallo, sources told The Athletic's Dennis Lin.
San Diego reportedly tried to trade for Gallo and right-hander Lance Lynn last summer, but the club wasn't willing to send top prospects CJ Abrams and Luis Patino to Texas. The Padres have since dealt Lynn to the Chicago White Sox, and Patino ended up on the Tampa Bay Rays as part of the Blake Snell blockbuster.
Pairing Gallo's powerful bat with Fernando Tatis Jr. and Manny Machado is a compelling idea since the 27-year-old outfielder registered back-to-back 40-homer seasons in 2017 and 2018. However, the former All-Star is a career .208 hitter.
Gallo is arbitration-eligible next season and can become a free agent before the 2023 campaign. He's making $6.2 million in 2021.
