Pittsburgh has acquired right-hander Jeanmar Gomez from the Cleveland Indians, according to MLBTR and ESPN.com’s Keith Law. Gomez had been designated for assignment by the Indians last week to make room on the team’s 40-man roster for Nick Swisher. The Pirates will send minor league outfielder Quincy Latimore to Cleveland in return.
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Gomez threw 90.2 innings for the Indians this past season, making 20 appearances including 17 starts. He posted a 5-8 record and 5.96 ERA in that span, adding a 1.423 WHIP. He added 11 more starts at Triple-A, going 6-5 with a 4.41 ERA over 69.1 innings. Since making his MLB Debut in 2010 he’s a combined 14-16 with a 5.18 ERA, 4.9 K/9, and 3.1 BB/9 over 42 appearances (38 GS, 206.2 IP) in the past three seasons. Gomez will turn 25 just before pitchers and catchers report to Spring Training in early February. He’s expected to compete for a spot in Pittsburgh’s uncertain starting rotation.
Latimore was Pittsburgh’s 4th Round selection in the 2007 Draft, but he’s failed to develop much in the way of plate discipline since passing up on a commitment to the University of North Carolina to sign with the Pirates. He spent the past two season’s with Double-A Altoona, batting a combined .245/.308/.422 with 30 HR, 56 doubles, and an astounding 245 strikeouts in 971 plate appearances. Latimore will turn 24 at the start of February and holds a highly uncertain future.
This ultimately could be one of those classic “change of scenery” deals that could benefit both teams in the long run. Neither player should have a substantial impact in the upcoming season.