In a surprising twist this offseason, the Los Angeles Dodgers have made a noteworthy addition to their roster for the 2025 season, further shaking up the baseball market. The team has signed Giovanny Gallegos, a familiar face to many Major League Baseball (MLB) fans, particularly those of the St. Louis Cardinals. This strategic move has generated considerable excitement among Dodgers supporters as Gallegos will now compete for a spot on the main roster during the upcoming spring training.
Gallegos, who has signed a minor league contract, has the potential to earn a guaranteed base salary of $2.5 million, with the opportunity to increase that amount by an additional $1.5 million through performance-based incentives. With a solid track record in the league, Gallegos has previously played for prominent teams such as the New York Yankees and the Cardinals over the span of eight seasons.
His most notable performances came during his tenure in the Cardinals’ bullpen from 2019 to 2022, where he achieved an impressive earned run average (ERA) of 2.84, along with a striking 32% strikeout rate and a low walk rate of 6.6%. These statistics solidified his reputation as one of the MLB’s premier relief pitchers during that period.
However, the last couple of seasons have not been as kind to Gallegos. After signing a two-year, $1 million contract extension with the Cardinals in October 2022, he faced significant challenges in 2023, with his ERA rising to 4.42 and a decline in his strikeout rate. The following year was even more difficult, as he posted a 6.53 ERA over just 20.2 innings and spent over six weeks on the injured list due to a shoulder issue. These struggles culminated in the Cardinals designating him for waivers at the end of the season, allowing him to enter free agency.
Despite these setbacks, Gallegos has been diligently working this offseason to refine his mechanics and regain the effectiveness of his fastball, a key component of his earlier successes. The Dodgers’ history of revitalizing players in similar situations has made them a fitting destination for the veteran pitcher.
As the MLB landscape continues to evolve, the question remains: can Giovanny Gallegos reclaim his former glory and bolster the Dodgers’ bullpen in the process? Fans and analysts alike are eager to see how this new chapter in his career unfolds, and the anticipation surrounding his performance in spring training is palpable. The Dodgers’ latest signing could prove to be a pivotal moment in the team’s quest for success in the upcoming season.
