Joey Gallo: "I was still diving for the Yankees, running into walls for the Yankees...I knew I was getting traded"

It has been a tough 18 month period for Joey Gallo since leaving Texas. The power-hitting lefty has had trouble finding the form that saw him selected to the All-Star Game in 2019 and 2021. Gallo will now attempt to jumpstart his career with the Minnesota Twins. This will be his fourth MLB team since 2021.

The New York Yankees had high hopes for Gallo when they traded for him in July 2021. Unfortunately, he failed to live up to expecations in the Big Apple. Over 140 games with the organization, he had a .159/.291/.368 slash line and a .660 OPS. He also struck out 194 times in 421 at-bats.

Gallo addressed his time in New York and the difficulties he faced in the Bronx:

"I was still diving for the Yankees, running into walls for the Yankees, running hard for the Yankees. I knew I was getting traded. But I still had pride"

Per a recent article by Ken Rosenthal in The Athletic, Gallo says he is proud of the fact that he gave it his all until his last day in the Bronx. While he was heavily criticized by the fanbase and press, Gallo continued to play hard on the field.

"Joey Gallo has agreed to a one-year, $11 million deal with the Twins, per source. @JonHeyman was on it." - Mark Feinsand

The former Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder also touched on his recent move to Minnesota:

"The Minnesota market is different than the New York market. I guess this is more my vibe, you know what I mean?"

The Minnesota Twins signed Gallo to a one-year, $11 million deal in December. He will join Carlos Correa, Pablo Lopez, Christian Vasquez and Kyle Farmer in the new-look Twins lineup.

Joey Gallo had difficulty adapting to life with the New York city last season

Joey Gallo at bat during Game Two of a doubleheader against the Los Angeles Angels at Yankee Stadium

During his peak, Joey Gallo was considered one of the league's most dangerous hitters. He finished with 41 home runs and 80 RBIs with the Texas Rangers in 2017. He followed that up with 40 home runs and 92 RBIs in 2018.

"JOEY GALLO’S FIRST DODGER HOME RUN" - Talkin' Baseball

Overall, he has amassed 177 home runs and 386 RBIs over 752 games and has a lifetime .794 OPS.

The pressure of playing for one of MLB's most storied franchises is difficult. Many highly rated players have underperformed for the Yankees. For Gallo, the city just wasn't a good fit. A change of scenery could be just what's needed to revive his career.