NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. — Carlos Gomez revived his game enough in six weeks late last season with the Rangers to convince Texas to sign him again, but not for nearly as much as he seemed in line for a year ago.
The Rangers gave Gomez a one-year, $11.5 million pact Tuesday night, pending physical review. And because it is Gomez, the physical review might matter.
Remember the Mets had an agreement in late July 2015 to obtain Gomez from the Brewers for Wilmer Flores and Zack Wheeler. But the Mets flunked Gomez on their physical review because of concerns about his hips, and pivoted a few days later to acquire Yoenis Cespedes.
Milwaukee then traded Gomez to Houston, and Gomez (.619 OPS in 126 games) was atrocious during his time with the Astros before being released on Aug. 18. Two days later, the Rangers signed him, and Gomez — playing mainly left field — helped down the stretch with eight homers in 33 games and a .903 OPS.
Before the trade to the Mets was scuttled and his misadventure with the Astros, Gomez might have commanded a contract of $75 million or more. Instead, he will operate on a one-year deal and try to further restore his value with the current plan to shift him back to center field.