Former failed Yankees deadline acquisition lands deal with NL team

One of New York’s least favorite players is back on the East Coast.

Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reported on Tuesday that veteran slugger Joey Gallo has agreed to a one-year deal with the Washington Nationals.

Gallo, 30, has a few good years on his resume, though. He was a two-time All-Star and two-time Gold Glover for the Texas Rangers. Gallo also produced back-to-back 40-home run seasons in 2017 and 2018. But Gallo’s reputation cratered thanks to a disastrous stint with the Yankees after being acquired at the 2021 trade deadline. He hit a repulsive .159 during his time in New York and was open about the hatred that he received from fans of the team.

The lefty hitter has not fared much better since departing the Big Apple, most recently hitting .177 in 111 games in 2023 for the Minnesota Twins (albeit with 20 homers). The risk is low for the Nats and Gallo may help replace the power bat that Washington lost at the trade deadline last year.