Rangers avoid arbitration with Gallo, Kiner-Falefa

The Texas Rangers and Joey Gallo have agreed to a one year, $6.2 million contract for the 2021 season, according to Bob Nightengale on Twitter.

MLB Trade Rumors’ arbitration projections had Gallo either at $6.8 million or $5.3 million, depending on the methodology used, in terms of what he would be expected to get in arbitration. The $6.2 million is in line with what I think most of us expected he would end up with.

The only other Ranger who is arbitration-eligible this offseason is Isiah Kiner-Falefa, as the two other potential arb cases as of Thanksgiving, Rafael Montero and Danny Santana, have been traded and non-tendered, respectively. Today is the deadline for teams and players to exchange arbitration figures, and so a rash of signings have been expected to be announced today.

As every Ranger fan knows, the team hasn’t actually gone to arbitration with a player since Lee Stevens back in 2000. My guess is a deal for Kiner-Falefa will be announced later today, and if not and the team and player exchange figures, a deal will be worked out before an arbitration hearing has to be held.

UPDATE — The beats have confirmed the $6.2 million deal for Gallo, and are reporting that Isiah Kiner-Falefa and the Rangers have settled at 1 year, $2 million.

Lee Stevens can pop open his bottle of champagne now.