The Chicago White Sox, by all accounts, have had a solid offseason so far.
They accomplished the most important piece of their rebuild by trading away Garret Crochet to the Boston Red Sox for prospect capital.
The White Sox added depth by signing veterans like Michael A. Taylor and Brandon Drury to minor-league deals who will further help the rebuild.
The White Sox continued that plan of adding veterans by signing another to a minor league deal who will also be competing for a spot in spring training.
The Chicago White Sox sign veteran first baseman
The White Sox, according to Baseball Insider Robert Murray, have signed first baseman/outfielder Joey Gallo to a minor league deal, which includes an invite to spring training.
“Free-agent first baseman/outfielder Joey Gallo has signed a minor-league contract with the Chicago White Sox. The deal includes an invite to spring training.”
Free-agent first baseman/outfielder Joey Gallo has signed a minor-league contract with the Chicago White Sox. The deal includes an invite to spring training.
— Robert Murray (@ByRobertMurray) February 14, 2025
The White Sox needed to add more depth at the first base position, with Andrew Vaughn being the only player with first as their primary position. The White Sox have started to test right fielder Oscar Colás there, but adding Gallo brings more depth and thump to the White Sox.
The power threat of Gallo
Gallo was once a former first-round pick of the Texas Rangers. Gallo came up as being the next power threat in the game. However, that never came to be, with Gallo having a career .194 average in his decade in the big leagues. Gallo is also a 2x All-Star and 2x Gold Glover.
The Bishop Gorman High School Alumni spent last season with the Washington Nationals, in which he played in 76 games and was a 0.3 WAR player. Gallo also only hit 10 HRs, 9 doubles, and 27 RBI. Gallo’s slash line was .161/.277/.336 for an OPS and OPS+ of .613 and 74.
The signing of Gallo adds another potential bat off the bench for the White Sox and a big-time power threat. Gallo fits what the White Sox are trying to do this season, adding a veteran player looking to have a bounce-back year and get a better deal in the offseason.
The 31-year-old still has a lot left in the tank if he can better his approach at the plate and lower his strikeouts. Gallo will have a good chance to make the team, with the White Sox needing a backup first baseman and a left-handed power bat off the bench. Gallo can play the outfield, which should further increase his chances.
Recently, manager Will Venable stated he would use the DH spot to get guys off their feet and for matchups. Gallo could benefit from this, with him being primarily a DH nowadays, by allowing him to be the White Sox DH and get time in the field.
Huge upside potential
Gallo’s signing is a low-risk, high-reward type signing that could pay off for the White Sox.
Gallo is a big-time power threat who could bring much-needed pop to the White Sox lineup but will come with the cost of striking out.
If Gallo can’t get back to what he was with the Twins in 2023, in which he had 21 HRs and 40 RBI, then the White Sox could get something of value for Gallo at the deadline.
Chicago White Sox: arguably the best player in the history of the franchise
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