This time five years ago, the New York Yankees were chasing a postseason spot and looking for a left-handed power bat, while the Texas Rangers were at the bottom of the AL West and looking to turn established pieces into prospect capital. The result was one of the biggest deals of the 2021 trade deadline, with the Rangers sending All-Star slugger Joey Gallo and reliever Joely Rodriguez to the Yankees in exchange for four prospects: Ezequiel Duran, Josh Smith, Glenn Otto, and Trevor Hauver. Since then, the swap has become one of the more lopsided trades of the decade, with the value of each piece becoming much clearer over time.
When the Yankees acquired Gallo, he had slugged 25 home runs in 95 games with Texas that year on his way to his second All-Star selection. His elite power, ability to draw walks, and Gold Glove-caliber defense made him an ideal fit for the Yankees. However, Gallo never found his footing in New York, hitting just .159 with a .660 OPS across 140 games between 2021 and 2022. His slugging percentage also dropped more than 100 points from .497 during his Rangers tenure to .368 in pinstripes. The Yankees dealt Gallo to the Dodgers at the 2022 trade deadline, and he later spent time with the Twins, Nationals, and White Sox before shifting his focus to pitching after being released by Chicago in 2025.
The Yankees also addressed a bullpen need by acquiring Rodriguez. The left-hander had struggled with Texas that year, posting a 5.93 ERA in 31 outings before the trade. He rebounded with a 2.84 ERA in 21 appearances for the Yankees before being traded to the Mets that offseason in a rare crosstown trade.
The biggest success story from the Rangers’ return has been Smith. After making his major league debut with Texas in 2022, he put together a breakout 2024 campaign, hitting .258 with a 114 OPS+ and 30 doubles while earning a Silver Slugger Award. Smith followed that up with another strong season in 2025, but has struggled to stay both healthy and productive so far in his age-28 season this year.
Duran, 27, has also turned into a valuable piece for the Rangers after making his debut in 2022. While he showed flashes over his first few seasons, Duran has broken out in 2026, hitting .273 with a .781 OPS and 44 extra-base hits. Inconsistent offensive stretches and his utility role have limited his playing time so far in his career, but his breakout could force the Rangers to give him increased opportunities moving forward.
Otto, the only pitcher included in the Rangers’ return, made his major league debut just weeks after the trade. After struggling that year, Otto was serviceable in 2022, but his development was derailed by injuries, including a right shoulder strain that sidelined him for much of 2023. Otto later pitched in the San Diego and Houston organizations, and last pitched professionally in 2024.
After the Rangers acquired Hauver, they immediately promoted him to High-A and moved the former second baseman to the outfield. He reached Double-A in 2022 and Triple-A in 2024. Despite producing solid numbers in the minors, the 27-year-old has yet to make his major league debut, with questions surrounding his defense and a crowded Rangers outfield creating a difficult path to playing time.
After five years, the outcome is clear. The Yankees acquired Gallo to help push them toward a postseason run, but his time in New York never came close to meeting expectations. Meanwhile, Texas came away with a pair of major league contributors in Smith and Duran, making the Rangers the clear winners.
Yankees grade: F
Rangers grade: A-