Yankees GM Brian Cashman 'not worried about' struggling Joey Gallo

Thus far, the New York Yankees trading with the Texas Rangers for two-time All-Star Joey Gallo last July hasn't worked out as planned for the Bronx Bombers. In fact, a report surfaced last month claiming the Yankees discussed sending Gallo to the San Diego Padres earlier this spring. 

Since then, Gallo's struggles in pinstripes have continued, and he entered Wednesday afternoon's home game against the Toronto Blue Jays hitting a woeful .183 and carrying a .293 on-base percentage. Despite those numbers, New York general manager Brian Cashman figuratively went to bat for the 28-year-old who can hit free agency following the current campaign. 

"I’m not worried about Joey Gallo," Cashman explained ahead of Wednesday's contest, according to Dan Martin of the New York Post. "He’s a really talented player and cares a great deal. He has a chance every time he’s at the plate to change whatever’s happened prior." 

Cashman added that "Gallo is helping us defensively, and offensively he can help with a key walk" for a team that began Wednesday at 21-8 overall and atop the American League East standings. 

"There’s a lot of different ways he can contribute," Cashman continued. "And there’s still a hell of a lot of time on the clock for him to contribute in one big game, in one big series or a floodgate, avalanche of success. He’s certainly capable of it… Over time, I certainly think he’ll find that higher ground on a consistent basis." 

As Randy Miller noted for NJ Advance Media for NJ.com several weeks ago, manager Aaron Boone has routinely defended Gallo and said the slugger was "unlucky" early into the season. For whatever reasons, there hasn't been an abundance of evidence to suggest Gallo's fortunes will shift before the summer months.