Joey Gallo Free Agency Update: Nationals sign former Yankees slugger on one-year deal

The Washington Nationals have reached a one-year, $5 million agreement with veteran slugger Joey Gallo. According to MLB insider Andrew Golden, who was first on the signing, the Nationals were in the market for a left-handed hitting outfielder, something that Gallo will now provide them.

"The Nationals and Joey Gallo have agreed to a one-year deal, according to multiple sources familiar. The deal is pending a physical. Washington was in the market for a left-handed outfielder this offseason and now they have one in Gallo." - @andrewcgolden

Golden also added that Joey Gallo could receive up to $1 million in performance bonuses. The veteran slugger was one of the top sources of power on the free agent market, now he will join an up-and-coming Nationals squad that features the likes of CJ Abrams and MacKenzie Gore.

The veteran is coming off a disappointing 2023 campaign for the Minnesota Twins, although it was much of the same from Gallo. The two-time All-Star finished the season with a dismal .177 batting average, he however continued to be a source of power, adding 21 home runs and 40 RBIs for the Twins last season.

"Outfielder Joey Gallo gets another shot after his offensive struggles the past three years, signing a one-year contract with the Washington Nationals, per @andrewcgolden" - @BNightengale

The Washington Nationals will be the fifth team of this MLB career after spending time with the Minnesota Twins, New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Texas Rangers.

Joey Gallo will fill an area of weakness for the Washington Nationals

While Gallo's low batting average has been notorious throughout his MLB career, the one undeniable thing is his home run power. Through nine seasons in the MLB, Gallo has racked up a total of 198 home runs. His peak seasons came in 2017 and 2018 when the veteran hammered 41 and 40 home runs respectively.

"The Washington Nationals have signed outfielder Joey Gallo to a one-year, $5 million deal plus incentives, per @andrewcgolden . Gallo, 30, slashed .177/.301/.440 with 21 home runs and 40 RBI in 111 games as a Minnesota Twin. He struck out 142 times in 332 plate appearances" - @JohnSparaco

Gallo's ability to hit home runs should greatly benefit the Washington Nationals this coming season. Last year, the Nationals finished 29th in team home runs, finishing the season with 151 total homers. To put that into perspective, the Atlanta Braves finished first in the league with 307 home runs.