It didn’t take long for Carlos Gomez to find a new home.
Saturday, the Texas Rangers struck a minor league deal with Gomez after he was placed on release waivers by the Houston Astros, according to MLB.com’s TR Sullivan. Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram confirmed the news and noted Gomez will report to Triple-A Round Rock on Sunday.
Gomez, 30, is hitting .210/.272/.322. He split the 2015 campaign between Houston and Milwaukee, coming over in a midseason trade for the Astros’ postseason push.
The 2016 campaign has been largely miserable, with Gomez still dealing with the aftereffects of a hip injury that bothered him last season. His numbers in most categories are on pace to make this the worst season of his career. The Astros designated him for assignment Aug. 10, which gave them 10 days to trade him, or they’d have to release him.
“If you start playing to what the fans do, it’s hard to do,” Gomez said, per Brian T. Smith of the Houston Chronicle. “When you have 40,000 people outside screaming at you, you smile and you’re (upset). I’m the one here, enjoying my time. You’re watching because you can’t play.”
The Astros’ decision to try to trade Gomez was mostly financial, as it was unlikely that Houston would retain Gomez in free agency. His $24 million contract has been one of baseball’s best bargains over the last three years, and he’ll likely command a raise in free agency—even if it’s not as high as previously expected.
Gomez seems destined at this point for a one-year “prove it” deal with whomever he signs with this winter.
Presuming he’s healthy, Gomez should help Texas establish itself in playoff contention after Shin-Soo Choo underwent surgery to repair a fracture in his left wrist and forearm. A change of scenery might just be the thing to get him back in a rhythm, given how miserable his Houston experience has been.
Even if he proves to be a rental, Gomez is worth the trouble.
Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com