The Texas Rangers and outfielder Carlos Gomez have agreed to a one-year deal, pending a physical, Jon Heyman tweeted.
Gomez, 31, hit .284 in 33 games with Texas in 2016, including eight home runs and 24 RBI. That was after the Houston Astros cut Gomez, who batted .210/.272/.322 in 85 games.
A two-time All-Star, Gomez fills a need in center field. It is surprising that Gomez couldn’t command a multi-year deal in a weak market. Gomez does have the chance to rebuild his value and get a big payday next winter.
Jon Daniels said Sunday signing Carlos Gomez and Ian Desmond "financially would be challenging." Looks like Gomez will be center fielder.
— Jeff Wilson (@JeffWilsonTXR) December 7, 2016
Gomez leading off followed by Shin-Soo Choo hitting in front of Adrian Beltre, Rougned Odor, and Jonathan Lucroy could be the start of a dangerous lineup.
With Gomez set to be flanked by Nomar Mazara and Choo, Jon Daniels can turn his attention towards filling the 1B/DH spot. Edwin Encarnacion is still out there waiting for a big payday. Also Mike Napoli could reunite with the Rangers on a two-year deal.
The Gomez signing also means the Rangers don’t need to make a trade for Andrew McCutchen. Trade talks can shift from CF to current holes. Possible trade candidates are the Reds (Joey Votto), Chicago White Sox (Todd Frazier, Jose Abreu, and Jose Quintana), Tampa Bay (Chris Archer and Jake Odorizzi), and Oakland (Sonny Gray).
