Joey Gallo Joins White Sox on Minor League Contract Amidst Career Struggles

CHICAGO, Ill. — The Chicago White Sox announced Thursday they have signed outfielder Joey Gallo to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training.

At 31 years old, the former All-Star is looking to bounce back after experiencing the worst season of his career with the Washington Nationals in 2024. Gallo played in 76 games last season, recording a .161 batting average with 10 home runs and 27 RBIs.

Gallo’s struggles have been pronounced in recent years. In 2023, he played with the Minnesota Twins, posting a .177 average, 21 home runs, and 40 RBIs over 111 games. This marks the third consecutive season where the two-time All-Star has faced offensive challenges.

During his tenure with the Texas Rangers, where he was drafted in 2012, Gallo had notable success. He recorded 41 home runs in 2017 and repeated a similar performance in 2018. Gallo achieved two All-Star selections and two Gold Glove awards during his time in Texas before being traded to the New York Yankees in 2021 in a high-profile deal.

His performance with the Yankees was disappointing, leading to a mid-season trade to the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2022. After these transitions, Gallo’s batting average has plummeted to .165 with a 12.3% walk rate and 39.2% strikeout rate since leaving Texas. In total, he has tallied a .194 career batting average, with 557 hits and 1,292 strikeouts.

The White Sox, coming off a disappointing season that saw them lose a record 121 games, are providing Gallo a new opportunity. Chicago is likely to give Gallo a chance to compete for playing time at first base, with the outfield positions also open for competition.

“Gallo is still capable of playing in the outfield,” said a White Sox spokesperson. “We see potential for him to establish himself and contribute to the team this season.”

This signing presents a low-risk opportunity for the White Sox as they look to improve their roster. Gallo’s performance during spring training will likely determine his role on the team for the upcoming season, with hopes that he can regain some of his past prowess.

As Gallo begins this new chapter, he aims to recapture the form that made him a formidable slugger in the past while helping the struggling White Sox find some measure of success this season.