Left-handed reliever Jimmy Gobble has agreed to terms on a one-year contract with the Royals, according to the Kansas City Star’s Sam Mellinger.
Gobble, 27, posted a 8.81 ERA in 31 2/3 innings last season, but those numbers don’t tell the whole story. After spending six weeks on the disabled list to finally resolve a chronic back problem, he pitched eight straight scoreless appearances through the month of September and ended the season on a high note.
Gobble may as well be the poster child for lefty specialists who can’t handle right-handed hitters. If used correctly, though, he can be a fine reliever. Left-handed batters managed just a .200 batting average against him during the 2008 season, but righties batted at a .382 clip with eight doubles and four homers in 68 at-bats.
