The Rangers have reached a minor-league deal with right-hander Jeanmar Gomez, according to Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News. The signing includes an invitation to MLB spring camp.
Also joining the Texas organization on minors deals are a trio of other hurlers. Ariel Hernandez, Phillips Valdez, and Miguel Del Pozo are all slated to join Gomez on the big league side in Surprise, Arizona.
Gomez, 30, is still looking to fully reestablish himself after three tough seasons. He averaged 9.7 K/9 in 25 innings last year with the White Sox, but struggled to a 4.68 ERA in that span. He has now coughed up 5.28 earned per nine since the start of the 2016 season.
Unsurprisingly, the Rangers seem to be bringing in quite a few arms for spring trials. The club has mostly filled out its rotation, at least barring ensuing trades, but has quite a lot of bullpen positions up for grabs.
Of the other hurlers, only Hernandez has reached the big leagues. The high-powered, control-challenged pitcher struggled in a brief 2017 stint with the Reds. He bounced around last year, ultimately throwing 55 1/3 innings of 2.93 ERA ball in the upper minors but recording 8.8 K/9 against 6.5 BB/9 in the proceess.
His SO/9 the last two years are actually quite surprising. I don’t remember him being a particularly hard thrower. Jeanmar is a decent add, as long as he is not asked to do too much. He’s basically your standard middle reliever and solid if he stays in that actual role.
Pretty much what I was going to say. Jeanmar can be a solid swingman or long reliever, and maybe even a setup guy. He can be versatile and pitch on short notice. He’s a great 11th or 12th man on a pitching staff, but if he’s asked to do more than that he runs into trouble.
Agreed.
It’s a shame what happened to him last year. He was buried in AAA while renteria would trot out Avilan, Cedeno, and Minaya. How is a guy supposed to get in a groove pitching 25 innings lol. Good luck to Jeanmar in Arlington’s launching pad tho
My Cubs inside sources tell me Cubs have signed IF Phillip Evans to a minor league deal.
Then go post it on a Cubs article…if you can find one.
Could not find an article thought I would put it here because this is also minor league signing.
Hernandez kid looks interesting. Nice fangraphs story on him dated from 2017 gives good detail about him. Could be a nice pickup *if* can harness his command.. looks like his FB sits around 98mph and has good, power curve as well.