Seattle Mariners Sign Jeanmar Gomez to Minor League Deal

Former Philadelphia Phillies closer Jeanmar Gomez has yet another new home. The Seattle Mariners have signed the reliever to a minor league deal.

Last season, Jeanmar Gomez was a revelation for the Philadelphia Phillies over the first five months of the year. A surprise closer, Gomez had posted a 2.97 ERA and a 1.220 WHiP, along with 34 saves, through the end of August. However, Gomez’ storybook season came to a rough end, as he was hammered throughout September. He had a 19.15 ERA and a 3.250 WHiP that month, making his grasp on the closer job tenuous at best heading into this season.

While he opened the year as the Phillies closer, he was quickly deposed. Eventually, his struggles came to be greater than even the rebuilding Phillies were willing to tolerate, as he was released on June 23 after having been designated for assignment. The Brewers inked him to a minor league contract, only to grant Gomez free agency three weeks later.

Now, he has once again landed with a contender looking for bullpen depth. The Seattle Mariners have inked Gomez to another minor league deal, assigning him to the Tacoma Rainiers. Seattle marks the fifth team for the now well traveled reliever.

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While the Mariners need relief help, it is difficult to imagine that Gomez will be a factor. In his 18 games spanning 22.1 innings, Gomez posted a 7.25 ERA and a 1.701 WHiP. Yet, there were actually a couple of positives, as he had a career best 8.5 K/9 rate, and displayed solid command, with just seven walks. However, those positives were mitigated by the seven homers he allowed, and the opposition hitting him at a .348/.408/.629 clip.

For now, Gomez will be another veteran arm that the Mariners have stockpiled in AAA. If he can have a strong showing over the next couple of weeks, it is possible that he forces his way onto the roster as a September callup. However, to expect that Gomez would be anything more than a potentially average reliever would be a mistake.

Next: Marlins primed for interesting offseason

Jeanmar Gomez has landed with another team in need of relief help. If he can rediscover his form from the first five months of 2016, the Seattle Mariners may have that pitcher they need. That is, however, fairly unlikely.