Veteran outfielder Carlos Gomez will return to the Texas Rangers in 2017. Later Monday evening, reports surfaced the the two parties were nearing a deal, and that things were moving rapidly. Not long after that, near midnight on the East Coast, Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports was first to report that Gomez would indeed re-sign with Texas on a one-year contract, pending a physical. The agreement will pay Gomez $11.5 million in 2017.
Carlos gomez deal is pending physical #rangers
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 7, 2016
Gomez gets $11.5M #rangers
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 7, 2016
Carlos Gomez Returns to Rangers
The 31-year-old, who came up with the New York Mets in 2007, is a veteran of 10 seasons, mostly with the Milwaukee Brewers. He has also seen MLB service time with the Minnesota Twins and Houston Astros. Gomez is a career .257 hitter who’s best season came in 2013, when he hit .284 with 24 home runs and 40 steals.
Gomez played 33 games for the Rangers in 2016 after being released by the Astros, with whom he struggled mightily. While in Houston last season, Gomez hit just .210, and struck out 100 times in 85 games. When he arrived in Arlington, however, things seemed to change. In a limited sample size of 116 at-bats, Gomez recorded a .284 batting average, slugged .543, and put up an outstanding .905 OPS. Clearly the Rangers hope he can keep that going next season.
With Ian Kinsler‘s return far from a certainty, bringing Gomez back makes a great deal of sense for the Rangers. Depth and insurance cannot be overvalued at any position. While Gomez’s best days may be behind him, he’s still a solid veteran option as a platoon mate or as a starter. In addition, he and the club have good relationship, which helps in the lockerroom.
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