The New York Yankees finalized a big trade with the Texas Rangers on Wednesday evening, adding big lefty slugger Joey Gallo to the lineup. The trade will likely become official on Thursday after the MLB approves, but the Bombers not only added a big player, they also had the majority of his contract paid for this season.
In exchange for Gallo and relief pitcher Joely Rodriguez, the Yankees offered up Ezekiel Duran, Trevor Hauver, Glen Otto and Josh Smith. With the Yankees dipping into their farm system to acquire established players, there was a chance the Rule 5 draft would’ve seen alternative clubs steal them regardless during the winter meetings.