Two players stepped up their game last season, proving their worth and now the Texas Rangers have handed them salary raises for 2021. Both outfielder Joey Gallo and Isiah Kiner-Falefa both captured 2020 Gold Gloves and have become Rangers starters for the 2021 season.
Joey Gallo receiving approval from Texas Rangers
According to Evan Grant, Gallo was supposed to earn $4.4 million in arbitration in 2020, but financial limitations and salary reductions meant Gallo had to take less than that over the 60-game shortened campaign.
Gallo will make $6.2 million in 2021. Gallo struggled a bit during last season recording a career low in OPS but crushed 10 home runs in 193 at-bats and even winning a Gold Glove. It’s good to see that the Rangers giving Joey Gallo a raise, since they believe he will have a bounce back year this season.
Gallo is expected to hit free agency in 2023, meaning the Rangers could be inclined to trade him sooner rather than later if an extension is not in the cards. A higher salary valuation indicates the Rangers would expect his potential trade value to improve this coming season.
Rangers looking at bolstering the outfield
It could not have been any better for Isiah Kiner-Falefa in 2020. IKF won Gold Gloves as a shortstop and third baseman and posted career best in OBP and SLG. He was named as the starting shortstop for 2021 with the job his to lose during Spring Training. Kiner-Falefa enters this season with having a single position and more playing time, giving him the ability to flourish and make his mark on the Rangers’ starting lineup. He could also become a piece of the future in Arlington.
A $2.2 million salary figure for 2021 only reinforces Texas’ belief in IKF to be a productive contributor to the ballclub, especially when juxtaposed against his meager $587,000 mark earned in 2020. This year marks the 20th year that the Rangers organization avoided going to salary arbitration with any of their players.
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