The Washington Nationals have announced that they declined their half of the $8 million option for veteran infielder/outfielder Joey Gallo, making him a free agent. The 30-year-old veteran slugger will get a $2.5 million buyout.
Nationals have declined their half of the $8 million mutual option on Joey Gallo. He gets a $2.5 million buyout, which combined with his $2.5 million salary and $200,000 in performance bonuses means he ultimately made $5.2 million for his 1 year in D.C.
— Mark Zuckerman (@MarkZuckerman) November 3, 2024
Nationals Decline Joey Gallo’s 2025 Option, Making Him Free Agent
Gallo previously signed a one-year, $5 million deal with the Nationals for 2024. The veteran finished with a $200,000 performance bonus after making 200 plate appearances. According to Mark Zuckerman of MASN, the slugger’s buyout, combined with his $2.5 million salary and performance bonus, means he ultimately made $5.2 million in D.C.
Gallo’s Season in Review
Gallo played in 76 games for Washington in 2024 but was a major liability for the team. In his 223 plate appearances, the slugger finished with a lowly slash line of .161/.277/.336 and 10 home runs. These stats translated to a 76 wRC+ and a below-replacement value of -0.2 fWAR. He also had 102 strikeouts, which were tied for the second-most on the ballclub this past season. His performance with the Nationals shows that he is not the same power hitter that he once was with the Texas Rangers.
Gallo also dealt with injury issues during the season. In late April, the veteran was placed on the 10-day injured list due to a right shoulder sprain and missed 17 games. He then strained his hamstring in June and missed over two months.
Other Options
Gallo played primarily at first base along with a few appearances in the outfield for the Nationals in his lone season in Washington. However, with the Nats declining his option for 2025, the team will be looking at a big upgrade at first base over the winter. They already have Juan Yepez as an option, as he contributed well since getting called up to the majors in July. If the team wants Yepez to split time with a seasoned veteran, there are many options in free agency, such as Christian Walker, Pete Alonso, and Paul Goldschmidt. But if Washington wants to focus on the outfield, they can try and bring back Juan Soto.
Gallo’s Future
Gallo was once a strong power hitter for the Rangers from 2019 to 2021. However, his recent inconsistency has led him to play for five different teams in the last four seasons. The 30-year-old might have to settle for a minor league contract after a rough season in DC. But other ballclubs could still make offers based on his 10 years of experience in MLB.
Photo Credit: © Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
