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Texas Rangers to Sign Carlos Gomez

By Jason Burke

June 28, 2016; Anaheim, CA, USA; Houston Astros center fielder Carlos Gomez (30) hits a double in the fourth inning against Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
June 28, 2016; Anaheim, CA, USA; Houston Astros center fielder Carlos Gomez (30) hits a double in the fourth inning against Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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According to people in the know, the Texas Rangers lineup could potentially be getting even deeper with the addition of Carlos Gomez, who was recently released by division rival Houston.

Shin-Soo Choo has had a difficult time staying on the field this season, appearing in just 45 games with the Rangers and is likely done for the year after breaking his wrist Tuesday when he was hit by a pitch from Ross Detwiler of the Oakland A’s. This is Choo’s fourth trip to the disabled list this year.

Last night the team went with Jurickson Profar, Ian Desmond and Nomar Mazara from left to right,  but the drop-off from those three to potential backup outfielders is a big one with Delino DeShields, Drew Stubbs and Ryan Rua providing the depth at the moment. Rua brings the most to the plate with a slightly below league average 95 wRC+ and slightly above average defense. DeShields is well below average at the plate (67) and has been average defensively, while Stubbs is caught between the two offensively, and below average in the field.

Carlos Gomez has the potential to be a big addition to the club on both sides of the ball, but not if he continues to play like he did in his time with Houston, where he hit just .210 with five homers and 29 RBI in 2016. Of all players with at least 300 plate appearances this season, Carlos Gomez ranks fourth from the bottom in wRC+ with a 57, which leads just Nick Ahmed, Ben Revere and Billy Burns in the majors.

Whether or not Gomez pans out for the Texas Rangers doesn’t necessarily matter, as they are set at nearly every position (besides starting pitching) as long as everyone on the club can stay healthy. Taking a flier on Carlos Gomez can’t hurt the club, but it can certainly improve them if it works out.

Next: Luhnow is Not a Fan of the System

As an added bonus, if Texas is able to squeeze some usefulness out of Gomez over the final six weeks of the season and into the playoffs, then this too likely wouldn’t sit well with in-state rival GM Jeff Luhnow of the Houston Astros.

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