What does future hold for Gallo after injury plagued, unproductive year?

PLAYER REVIEW: JOEY GALLO

Age on Opening Day 2025: 31

How acquired: Signed as free agent, January 2024

MLB service time: 8 years, 130 days

2024 salary: $2.5 million

Contract status: $8 million mutual option for 2025 or $2.5 million buyout

2024 stats: 76 G, 260 PA, 223 AB, 24 R, 36 H, 9 2B, 0 3B, 10 HR, 27 RBI, 3 SB, 1 CS, 32 BB, 102 SO, .161 AVG, .277 OBP, .336 SLG, .613 OPS, 74 OPS+, 6 DRS, 3 OAA, 0.3 bWAR, -0.2 fWAR

Quotable: “He was hoping it’d be a lot better for him, I know that. He’s been a trooper. He’s worked really hard, a good guy that does work hard. … I know he’s been frustrated. He wanted to do more. And I know if he was healthy, he probably would have done more.” – Davey Martinez

2024 analysis: The Nationals knew what they were getting – and maybe more importantly what they weren’t getting – when they signed Joey Gallo to a modest contract over the winter. They hoped they were getting a cheap source of power and a good defensive player. They knew they weren’t getting someone who was suddenly going to improve his all-or-nothing offensive approach. In a best-case scenario, he would’ve launched 20 homers, played solid defense and mentored young teammates before getting flipped at the trade deadline for a prospect or two.

That’s not the way things played out. Initially signed as a corner outfielder, Gallo actually wound up the Opening Day first baseman, where his glovework did shine. He saved countless errors from his infielders with his ability to scoop up low throws and reach for high heaves. But his offensive production was abysmal, even by his admittedly low career standards.

A pair of injuries – first a sprained shoulder, then a strained hamstring – completely disrupted Gallo’s season. In total, he spent nearly three months on the 10-day IL across two separate stints. By the time he finally made it back in mid-August, the trade deadline had passed and the Nats were fully committed to the future. Wouldn’t you know, though, he did hit better down the stretch, with four homers and an .806 OPS over his final 12 games of an otherwise lost season.

2025 outlook: The structure of Gallo’s contract was a bit unusual. Announced as a one-year, $5 million deal, it actually only paid him $2.5 million this year but included an $8 million mutual option or $2.5 million buyout for 2025. Let’s be clear: Even if Gallo agreed to his side of the option, the Nationals have no plans to pick up their end of the deal and have planned all along to pay him the buyout, which for practical purposes will be the same as them paying him $5 million for one season.

The Nats know they need to upgrade at first base. It’s arguably their No. 1 priority this winter. They’d love to find someone as defensively gifted as Gallo, but they absolutely need to find someone who provides a more well-rounded offensive game. Power is necessary at the position, yes. But so are singles, doubles, walks and (gasp) even a few sacrifice flies (something Gallo did only once this season and has done only four times across 3,403 career major league plate appearances).

Because he’s connected for 208 home runs, because he’s won two Gold Glove Awards and because he genuinely is a good teammate and clubhouse mentor, Gallo should still have a future in the big leagues. But the opportunities may be waning at this point. On the heels of an injury plagued and unproductive year on a rebuilding team, there may not be many offers this winter. He may have to settle for a minor league contract and an invitation to big league camp somewhere, then hope he can bounce back enough at the plate to keep him valuable for several more years before walking away from the game.