Starting pitchers Ricky Nolasco, Matt Garza, and Jake Peavy have been some of the oft-mentioned names this trade deadline season, but don’t forget about the Milwaukee Brewers’ Yovani Gallardo. Nolasco, of course, has already been moved and Garza and Peavy could be next. However, Gallardo is another pitcher with a real chance to be dealt to a contender this month.
Gallardo is 8-8 on the season with a 4.58 ERA for Milwaukee. Those aren’t incredible numbers, but he has done his fair share of shutting down opposing hitters. In June, he had a three-game stretch of 21 innings without an earned run, picking up two wins in the process. In addition, over his last two starts, Gallardo has given up only three earned runs over 12 innings of work. He has had his fair share of duds over the past couple of months (i.e. an eight-run three-inning beatdown against Washington on July 1st), but overall, he has been pretty solid as the season has continued.
Gallardo isn’t a star, but since breaking into the majors in 2007 as a 21-year old, he’s been a dependable pitcher. Gallardo has never had a losing record and over the past four years, has averaged 15 wins a year. He was an All-Star in 2010 and in 2011, had maybe his best season going 17-10 with a career-best 3.52 ERA.
An added bonus is that Gallardo is an above average hitter. He won the Silver Slugger award in 2010 when he hit a whopping four home runs in only 63 at bats. He also hit four doubles that season and collected 16 hits – good for a .254 batting average. Over his career, Gallardo has a .212 batting average and has 12 home runs. He will be pursued by American League teams as well, but hitting that well makes him even more valuable in the National League where pitchers are forced to bat.
When it comes to his contract, while owed a considerable amount of money, Gallardo has a manageable deal. The pitcher is owed $11.25 million next season, but with a $600,000 buyout option in 2015 (vs. a $13 million price tag that season), he’s reasonably affordable. He may not be worth that much in 2014, but it’s not bad considering teams can get out from under the deal at the end of the year.
Like other pitchers on the market, Gallardo hasn’t been completely dominant. But he’s done enough to warrant considerable interest from a few teams.
One such team is the Texas Rangers. The Rangers are in a race to win the American League West and in dire need of a starter. The team is currently without ace Yu Darvish, who landed on the 15-day disabled list. Starter Nick Tepesch is also on the DL and with Justin Grimm and his 6.37 ERA being moved to the bullpen with some forearm stiffness, the Rangers could use another starter.
Another club with interest are the Cleveland Indians. Interestingly enough, the Indians reportedly want a top of the rotation pitcher – and Gallardo isn’t that so their interest may be limited. Further complicating things is that he currently has the Indians on his no trade list. That’s not to say he can’t waive that in order to play for a possible contender, but it’s no guarantee they can land him even if a deal is reached.
The Arizona Diamondbacks are a third team with interest in Gallardo. The potential holdup in a deal, though, could be the club not wanting to part with top pitching prospect Tyler Skaggs.
Interest in Gallardo may not yet be approaching that of Garza or Peavy, but if/once those players are dealt, look for the focus to turn to the Brewers’ starter.
