Washington Nationals Decline Option on Joey Gallo, Sending Slugger Into Free Agency

Joey Gallo had an $8 million mutual option for 2025, but the Washington Nationals declined their end of it after the former All-Star hit .161 with 10 home runs in 2024.

Jun 11, 2024; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Washington Nationals first base Joey Gallo (24) scores a run in the fifth inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. / David Reginek-Imagn Images

The Washington Nationals have declined their end of Joey Gallo's mutual option, MASN Sports' Mark Zuckerman reported Sunday.

Had the Nationals and Gallo had both picked up their respective halves of the option, the veteran slugger would have been due $8 million in 2025. Instead, the soon-to-be 31-year-old Gallo will enter free agency for the third winter in a row.

Gallo, who had a $2.5 million salary in 2024, will receive a $2.5 million buyout. He also earned $200K in performance bonuses.

Nationals have declined their half of the $8 million mutual option on Joey Gallo. He gets a $2.5 million buyout, which combined with his $2.5 million salary and $200,000 in performance bonuses means he ultimately made $5.2 million for his 1 year in D.C.

— Mark Zuckerman (@MarkZuckerman) November 3, 2024

Gallo was limited to 76 games this season, thanks to combination of injuries and healthy scratches. He hit the shelf in April due to a sprained AC joint in his left shoulder, then missed nearly two full months with a left hamstring strain over the summer.

When he was in the lineup, Gallo hit .161, marking his fifth consecutive season batting below the Mendoza Line. 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 top sluggers, back when he was with the Texas Rangers. He reached 40 home runs in 2017 and 2018, and very nearly hit the mark again in 2021 when he led the American League in walks.

Despite batting .208 between 2017 and 2021, he averaged 43 home runs, 92 RBI and a 4.1 WAR per 162 games. He was named an All-Star in 2019 and 2021 and won Gold Gloves in 2020 and 2021, before he starting bouncing around 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 vast majority of his innings at first base in 2024. Across 59 appearances at the position this season, he racked up seven defensive runs saved.

If teams can overlook Gallo's consistently high strikeout rate, perhaps he can keep his career going in the big leagues. Gallo will be eligible to sign with any club starting Monday at 5 p.m. ET.

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