Yovani Gallardo – UPI/Bill Greenblatt
Not wanting to lose another future free agent without compensation, the Milwaukee Brewers sent right-handed pitcher Yovani Gallardo to the Texas Rangers for three young prospects, right-handed pitchers Corey Knebel and Marcos Diplan and middle infielder Luis Sardinas.
The Brewers also agreed to pay $4-million of Gallardo’s $13-million salary for this season to the Rangers.
Gallardo becomes a free agent at the end of the season and the Brewers wanted to get something for him while they could.
The deal opens up some money for the Brewers to add some relief help for their bullpen. It also clears a path for 25-year old right-hander Jimmy Nelson, who finished 2-9 with a 4.93 ERA in 14 games last season. But he’s still considered the organization’s top prospect.
Both Knebel and Sardinas played briefly in the majors last season.
The 28-year old Gallardo went 89-64 with a 3.69 ERA in seven-plus seasons with the Brewers. Gallardo leaves as the franchise leader with 1,226 career strikeouts and served as the Brewers opening day starter each of the last five seasons.