By james art 
The Washington Nationals have declined the end of Joey Gallo’s mutual option, MASN Sports’ Mark Zuckerman reported Sunday.
If the Nationals and Gallo had picked up their respective halves of the option, the veteran would have received $8 million in 2025. Instead, the soon-to-be 31-year-old Gallo will enter free agency for a third straight winter.
Gallo, who had a $2.5 million salary in 2024, will receive a $2.5 million buyout. He also earned $200K in performance bonuses.
The Nationals have declined half of the $8 million trade option for Joey Gallo. He receives a $2.5 million buyout, which combined with his $2.5 million salary and $200,000 in performance bonuses means he ended up earning $5.2 million in his 1 year in DC
— Mark Zuckerman (@MarkZuckerman) November 3, 2024
Gallo was limited to 76 games this season thanks to a combination of injuries and healthy scratches. He hit the shelf in April with a sprained AC joint in his left shoulder, then missed nearly two full months with a left hamstring strain over the summer.
When in the lineup, Gallo hit .161, marking his fifth straight season hitting below Mendoza’s streak. His .613 OPS was the lowest of his career, while his 10 home runs, 27 RBI and 0.3 WAR were his fewest in a non-COVID season since his rookie year in 2016.
Gallo was once one of MLB’s best players when he was with the Texas Rangers. He hit 40 home runs in 2017 and 2018 and nearly hit the mark again in 2021 when he led the American League in walks.
Despite hitting .208 between 2017 and 2021, he averaged 43 home runs, 92 RBI and 4.1 WAR over 162 games. He was an All-Star in 2019 and 2021 and won Gold Gloves in 2020 and 2021 before bouncing between the New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers, Minnesota Twins and Nationals.
Gallo was primarily a corner outfielder in his 20s, but he spent the majority of his innings at first base in 2024. In 59 plate appearances this season, he accumulated seven defensive runs.
If teams can ignore Gallo’s consistently high slugging percentage, maybe he can continue his career in the big leagues. Gallo will be eligible to sign with any club starting Monday at 5:00 PM ET.
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