March 3rd: The Rays have made the signing official. Gomez’s incentives are based on games played, per the Associated Press. He’d rake in $100K each for 80, 90, 100, 110 and 120 games.
February 21st: The Rays have agreed to a one-year deal with veteran outfielder Carlos Gomez, according to MLB.com’s Jesse Sanchez (via Twitter). Gomez, a Boras Corporation client, receive a $4MM if he passes a physical, per Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times (Twitter link). The deal also includes $500K in potential incentives and a $500K assignment bonus, per Jon Heyman of Fan Rag (via Twitter).
If finalized, this pact would represent an interesting narrative shift after weeks of salary-paring moves from Tampa Bay. The organization just shipped away outfielder Steven Souza and starter Jake Odorizzi while designating left-handed-hitting slugger Corey Dickerson for assignment. Of course, Tampa Bay also picked up righty power hitter C.J. Cron and reliever Sergio Romo.
All things considered, then, it seems the Rays are engaged in a broad re-shaping of their 2018 roster and near-term balance sheet, more than a pure tear-down. That would square with the team’s insistence last night — via top baseball execs Erik Neander and Chaim Bloom — that further moves to part with veterans were not anticipated.
It is still a bit difficult to know just what to make of the overall slate of moves. Perhaps the addition of Gomez was in some part simply a reaction to the team’s decision to deal Souza, which came about as a result of what that front office duo suggested was an overwhelming offer from the Diamondbacks. Similarly, earlier moves — especially, the addition of Denard Span as a salary offset in the Evan Longoria deal — had left the Rays with a lefty-heavy outfield mix.
There’s no doubt some opportunism in the Gomez contract itself. MLBTR predicted he’d command a $22MM guarantee over two seasons, ranking him 23rd on the list of the top 50 free agents at the start of the offseason. Landing such a productive player at the reported rate — just $4MM on a single-season commitment — represents a notable bargain.
Though Gomez has earned his share of detractors with a vibrant and assertive (some might call it brash) personality on the field, and is not far removed from a miserable run with the Astros, he is coming off of a big season with the Rangers. Notably, Gomez received an $11.5MM guarantee in advance of the 2017 campaign. He went on to post a .255/.340/.462 batting line with 17 home runs and 13 steals over 426 plate appearances.
To be fair, there were a few clear signs of an ongoing decline. Gomez’s strikeout rate stayed in the thirty percent range, as it did in his rough prior campaign, and he was reliant upon a .336 BABIP that sits above his career mean. And Gomez is no longer a premium performer on the bases or in the field. Still, he rated as a plus on the basepaths and drew near-average grades for his glovework in center, so he still offers value as an all-around player. While it seems unlikely Gomez will return to his superstar peak, he seems likely to be at least an average regular or high-end platoon option.
Whatever the reason things shook out this way, the Rays will — barring further action — enter the 2018 season with an outfield unit that nobody could have predicted when the offseason got underway. Gomez, Span, and Mallex Smith now appear to represent the top three options to flank center fielder Kevin Kiermaier.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
swinging wood
DFA Dickerson, trade away guys, and sign Gomez as a FA? Dafuq is going in in Tampa?
Stevil
They’re acquiring cost-controlled talent with players that will get more expensive beyond 2018 and filling in a hole with a solid player on a 1-year deal. The other holes covered with other players in the returns.
brewcrew08
You just call Carlos Gomez a solid player?
Travis’ Wood
Yes Gomez is a solid player. 2.3 fWAR last year. He’s not star but he’s league average.
Kslaw
He is closer to replacement level than all star. Solid is not the word to describe him. Serviceable would be more in line.
He has been terrible since he stopped the juice with Braun.
saintchristafa
Gomez played for the brewers….
brewcrew08
Yeah he did play for the Brewers. Not sure what your point is? Just because he’s a former brewer doesn’t mean I have to love him as a player currently.
dynamite drop in monty
How DARE you besmirch the good name of John Jaha!
saintchristafa
No. I’m just pointing out how you can wantonly say he isn’t a solid player if he played for your team, thus meaning you’ve seen his performance. He’s solid. He’s not an all star. But this is the Rays we’re talking about
nymetsking
players do decline, you do realize that, right? Players with speed as their best tool typically bottom out more quickly than those known for plus power.
atlho
who really cares what the difference is between solid and servicable? an ops over 800 is very “servicable”
DaBum
Regardless of how good Gomez is, he wasn’t and isn’t better than Dickerson. They will be paying Gomez almost exactly as much as Dickerson and get less for it. Meanwhile, they pissed off their best player (KK).
MZ311
How many replacement players hit 17 homers and steal 15 bases in an injury shortened season?
Bocephus
Stop it please with using the faulty WAR stat.
barnard
He’s only had three seasons below 1.0 fWAR, and was above 2.0 last year. He’s literally nowhere near replacement level
kenneth cole
THANK YOU. “omg I’m such an advanced baseball mind, I spout WAR even though it’s heavily reliant on other people.”
barnard
It has its flaws, but it’s a useful measure of value if understood within the context of what it’s meant to explain
dynamite drop in monty
Every stat in baseball is heavily reliant on other people.
fisher40
He’s a Gomez Pile
Stevil
Yes, brewcrew. He’s still a good defender and offers something offensively. I didn’t call him a great player. But solid absolutely seems fitting.
CardsNation5
Lol. Nice
brucewayne
So what’s your point? So does Braun!
Harry Scout
Mark Gubicza was actually low key really underrated. He was a crucial part of that 85 world series run with the Angels. It’ll be interesting to see what he brings to the clubhouse in terms of veteran leadership.
chgobangbang
AGREE! Rays management needs to take a pee test
lowtalker1
Gomez is what? 2 mil cheaper? They don’t got the fan base to support vast contract. If I remember correctly their tv deal doesn’t kick in fully until 2019? IDR the exact time frame
reflect
I don’t know what the Rays are doing but they are definitely doing stuff.
WhiteSox4ever
Stuff…. lol
fisher40
Looks like they want 100 Loss seasons again just like the 90’s
Jsatt124
Fun fact… the Rays had ZERO 100 loss seasons in the 90s. 99 losses in 98, 93 in 99.
Baseballholic
I don’t know what the Rays are doing but they are definitely doing stuff.
haaa.
bosox90
This looks like the plan all along, makes yesterday’s trade make some more sense from the Ray’s perspective.
baseball10
But it doesnt make the Dickerson move any more clear
bosox90
Yeah I think that one will be the biggest head scratcher of the offseason, unless they know something that nobody else knows.
djtommyaces
Especially when they traded Odorizzi they should’ve been able to dump Dickerson with him
BlueJayFan1515
But why are they dumping him?
southi
Dickerson is only DFA’d. From that date (if I’m not mistaken) the Rays had 10 days to trade him or send him through waivers. It is highly likely that they had received only limited interest in Dickerson before they DFA’d him and sought to jump start the process (which is somewhat risky if no team values Dickerson close to how many posters here think he should be valued). It is still possible that they get a decent, if not good, return for him in a trade. At the very least the Rays swapped Dickerson for the cheaper (and right-handed) Cron. I wouldn’t doubt that Tampa had the value signing of Gomez on the back burner the whole time.
raysdaze
THIS
Skipperron51
I believe with the new rules they only have seven days to move him now. Anyway, they have pretty much killed getting anything of value for him now. Teams know instead of trading for him and having to honor his 6 mil contract, they can wait for him to go on waivers and sign him for whatever they can get him to take.
docmilo5
Perhaps they feel Dickerson is more like the .690 OPS guy from the 2nd half than the .903 OPS guy from the first half. Take the names off the shirts. If Gomez gives them a RH OF bat that produces equally over the course of the year than Dickerson, it’s a wash. Perhaps Dickerson didn’t get along well with the manager. Who knows. Let’s see if anyone is interested in Dickerson. If not, he’s got 3 options and isn’t a FA. Dickerson gets his $1M guaranteed and then goes to the minors on a MiLB salary? If someone claims him they have to pay his $6.4 M he won in arbitration, correct?
Blue_Painted_Dreams_LA
That’s not true. If he gets sent to the minors he’ll be owed the 5.9 he was awarded. If he gets released or claimed the Rays will be off the hook for the majority of the money. If released the Rays will owe him ~1M. If he is claimed chances are the Rays dump his salary.
It’s really not as head scratching as everyone makes it out to be. He was god awful in the 2nd half and is a guy that’s somewhat without a position. Those guys really have been hurt by the market the last two years. They just aren’t valued as power is so prevalent. The thought process was probably them tendering him solely in an attempt to trade him. But the market was biting to their expectations obviously. The Rays have had some major issues with K’s and defense. They cleared 400Ks from that lineup and sort of improved their defense. They traded meh to good short terms guys for future value. I might be in the minority here, but to me DFAing/trading Dickerson/Odorrizzi/Souza isn’t much of a big deal especially knowing they have two financial behemoths in their division. And as much as they probably would have loved to keep Longo, he’s a year from 10/5 and in the decline stage of his career. He’s turned into the low obp/high power guys that are just meh.
brucenewton
Rays are probably hoping a team with lower waiver position is interested. Knowing he likely won’t fall to them on waivers they work a trade. I’m sure the Tigers are salivating hoping he hits waivers.
CardsNation5
Dickerson might end up back with the Rockies or I can see Detroit picking him up
geejohnny
Agree. Gomez and a few decent prospects for Souza basically.
Alex Meyer
It doesn’t make sense though. Souza was earning 3.55$ million and now they sign Gomez for $4 million plus. Thought the plan was to cut salary?
bosox90
Well I don’t think this particular set of moves was about salary, as Neander mentioned last night. According to him they got a package they couldn’t refuse. They probably had Gomez in the bag and thought they’d recoup enough of Souza’s value with CG to move him for a couple prospects. Very Rays move.
geejohnny
Bingo. For a Sox fan you kniw how the Rays typically operate.
bosox90
Having the tightest budget will force you to sign guys like Gomez and hope for the best. He was an all star in 2013 and 2014, decent in 2015 and 2017. Catching lightning is a bottle is their best chance to compete, might as well go for a guy who is still just 32 and has been great at one point in the last 5 years. The sad reality that TB lives in.
Roasted DNA
Agree. Salary wasn’t motive but I can’t say replacing a player that has yet reached his prime to with a player that appears to past his isn’t a very good trade.
But to your point the D-Backs must have seen something in Souza they felt takes the sting out of losing J.D. – Souza provides good pop and better speed and defense. Now if Arizona’s coaches can get Souza to swing at pitches in the strike zone – could be the best trade so far.
Pingleja
Yeah but they don’t have to pay Souza next year now. He’ll make more than $4 next year for sure since that was his first arb year. Gomez they can turn around and get more prospects during the year if he rebounds to resemble a decent leadoff/top of the order guy by mid-season.
MB923
“He’ll make more than $4 next year”
I think we all will.
schellis 2
Look the rays couldn’t risk them not getting the ive spent the night doing hard gm work meal from the new McDonald’s menu. That 4 dollars could have meant he couldn’t get the happy meal
takeyourbase
Souza wasn’t a salary dump though. That was a pure trade where they got a good return for him so basically like the poster above stated it was Souza for Gomez and 4 nice prospects for relatively the same salary cost
Skipperron51
The two players to be named are supposedly going to be low minor, so so prospects. And keep in mind Arizona has a poor minor league roster.
southi
Skipperron51, I’m curious who reported that they were low minors (not saying no one said that). I actually saw one report that insinuated that the PTBNLs in this case were NOT insignificant (although they are normally of the throw in variety). Unfortunately I don’t have the link.
Wolverines2
Have to think they see Souza’s value as high as it will ever be. They did well in the return. Gomez just doesn’t seem like a need if it’s a rebuild, and doesn’t strike me as the type of player that appeases a frustrated fan base during a rebuild. I’m confused as well…
bosox90
Tampa doesn’t really do full-on rebuilds because unfortunately they are constantly in rebuild mode. They are doing their absolute best to be the Cardinals, constantly making the hard decisions to keep the team relevant year in and year out, but at a fraction of the budget. Things operate much differently in Tampa.
camdenyards46
The Souza deal wasn’t to clear salary. Silverman said something along the lines of “it was a baseball move and they made us an offer we couldn’t refuse”
Padres2019ha
Domino’s be a fallin
sufferforsnakes
Fallin? I thought it was a pizza?
bosox90
Domino’s be a circle of hot garbage
nymetsking
but if it falls, dominos’ll remake that pizza for free.
camdenyards46
Lol carry out insurance
steven st croix
Look at the package of players Houston sent to MIL for him (and Fiers), Phillips, Hader, and Santana.
bastros88
the astros would sure love to get Hader back
brewcrew08
And Phillips and Santana…
bastros88
no they have a pretty stacked outfield, they are fine without them
brewcrew08
Santana is more valuable that Gonzalez and Reddick. Especially factoring in what Reddick makes
Jack Taddy
Lol @ this. Any other positional depth you’d be fine without?
twentyforty
Nobody wants Santana. That much is plainly clear.
bastros88
if you are replying to me, the astros could use help in the catcher department, maybe the bullpen
astros_fan_84
That trade got us into the postseason in 2015, and that experience was vital for 2017.
On paper, the trade sucks. But it helped the Astros win a championship, so I’d do it again in a second.
I hated Gomez as an Astros, btw.
Dodgethis
It’s not the best 25 guys, but the right 25 guys. Forget whose quote it is but boy is it spot on.
geejohnny
Ok…..I’m sure at least a Souza salary so they get a decent bat and good defense and a couple prospects. This deal may have been in the works with the Souza trade.
Francys01
I wanted to see Gomez with the Rangers again. However, good signing for the Tampa Bay Rays.
Sideline Redwine
Um, no. Not at all. Pretty sure you amd the clueless FO are the only ones thinking this was a good move.
southbeachbully
Seriously? This much negative feedback for a 1 year $4 mil rental? Look, the Rays aren’t going to be competitive but they still need to field a team of mlb players. They signed him to a 1 year deal. If he has any kind of a return to form from April to the trade deadline then he will be flipped for, perhaps, a useful but non-elite prospect. Win/Win for the Rays. He was projected to get a lot more than $4 mil.. If he sucks then they lose $4 mil. If he’s good then they trade him for a prospect. The prospect won’t be a top 100 guy but he can still be someone useful for a rebuilding franchize.
brucewayne
For the future, this was a good baseball deal for the Rays!
GONEcarlo
Gomez is maybe half as good as Dickerson, and still he’s probably going to cost as much if not more. Makes no sense.
geejohnny
Bat….similar….defense not close so overall not a big difference.
@GloomyLoonyc
Trade deadline investment
snotrocket
They just cut a guy who was probably a little better making a similar amount of money. Both Florida franchises should be forced to sell and relocate.
hiflew
Or we could just bring back the idea of contraction. We nearly lost the Expos and Twins in the early 2000s. I’d be perfectly happy with going back to 28 teams, losing interleague, and never having to see an NL team use a DH until the WS. It’ll never happen, but it’s fun to dream.
The Oregonian
They’re talking about expansion in the next decade or so, so contraction is never going to happen. I’d prefer they stayed at 30 teams and moved teams in weak markets to new cities
jordan4giants 2
I wish they would make divisions based on market size rather than location. That would be amazing to see.
Dodgethis
If there was 2 more teams there would be a much better free agent market, more competition on foreign players, and more money in general for the league. The problem is expansion teams in little markets. There are hundreds of billionaires, maybe find one that will build a new stadium and take a loss for a few years to field a decent team. Ask the Dodgers, it’s worth the investment to change the brand perception. Dodgers went from a joke to a perennial contender based on spending money they don’t have. Too many short sighted owners in the league, and too many leftover owners from when teams weren’t worth anything.
Dodgethis
I agree about divisions, having local regional divisions makes no sense. Travel time is irrelevant when you have a private chartered plane and you have to take a flight regardless. What’s the real difference in a 4 hour vs 6 hour flight?
kylelohse
No, they cut a guy that is a one dimensional DH and also left handed which they have too many of as it is and added a right handed bat that can actually play defense. Plus Dickerson would end of costing a million more which is a lot of payroll for the Rays.
geejohnny
Easy to say when it’s not your team leaving. I live and attend games in Tampa. Not that concerned anyway….just another day in the life of a Rays fan.
tylerall5
Wish the Pirates would have signed him with that salary. Oh well here’s to Nava/SRod/Rasmus.
tylerall5
Saunders not rasmus I get them confused all the time.
geejohnny
Understand…they could be twins
bastros88
they could have just kept Dickerson for 2 million more……don’t get it, maybe I never will
Ozzie Torres
There is only one explanation: Somebody pays the rays to make some moves, so this way the offseason doesn’t look so boring.
baseballpun
Soros strikes again.
mike156
Saving a net couple of million on Dickerson must be important enough , but this is bizarre. I wonder if you aren’t seeing the future for a number of teams—get cheaper, by any means
scottstots
Defensively the rays might have the best outfield and offensively it might be the worst.
Skipperron51
Your kidding right? Gomez is not what he once might have been. Keirmeir is great but then you have Freakin Denard Span who single handily killed the SF outfield defensive stats, and Mallex Smith who needs a seeing eye dog to find his routes in the OF.
scottstots
Keirmaier is a top 3 cf, Gomez in cf is good not great but in right his speed, athletic ability and plus arm makes him a top 5 defensive right fielder and Malex Smith’s speed in left makes up for his routes which are not as bad as your overdramatic claims state.
Skipperron51
Did you watch him play last year? I saw every game.
realgone2
Rays must know something we don’t. I’m guessing
Solaris601
Either that or Dickerson will be the next David Ortiz. Recall that the Twins DFAd Papi for reasons not entirely clear, and he went on to become legend in Boston. We’ll see how his plays out.
newtzb0ss
Oh damn, guess I can like Go-Go again now since he’s no longer on the Rags
bosox90
All I know for sure is that I’m excited the Red Sox will be playing Tampa in 7 of their first 9 games.
Jkolti
Seems like the rays will have a very good defensive outfield this year.
Sideline Redwine
Would rather have Souza and/or Dickerson. I know the former was cheaper (and younger).
Why trade good young players and bring in has-beens (Span, Gomez) and keep never-wills (Miller). This FO is laughable. And as a Rays fan, it hurts.
realgone2
He looked like he was gonna be a star and then fell off a cliff. What happened?
mgrap84
Seriously wtf is going on in Tampa? Why get rid of young players for him and Span.
bravesfan
If I was a rays fan, I would definitely be livid about this. Sure it’s a cheap deal, but don’t DFA Dickerson for what is ultimately a money concern, then go waste the money you would have spent on this guy. Just silly, flat silly
realgone2
So they DFA’d CD and they have ten days to trade him. Then they put him on waivers and a team claims him. Which I think would be the Tigers first. So, then they have to work out a trade with Tampa. Correct?
sportsguy24/7
Interesting….
Free Clay Zavada
I remember back when we saw the Rays do something, and even if it didn’t make sense, we trusted them. In the last few years, though, they’ve lost a heck of a lot of credibility (at least with me). Probably no small part is due to the lack of winning lately.
thegoat2531
Not sure why everyone is trashing this move. Gomez had a solid year last year for the Rangers. Not great but solid, very serviceable. I think he can get the job done in Tampa, can’t wait to see what he does. Rays need something I guess lol!
mp2891
Agreed. I’m a lot happier with Gomez in RF than an outfield of Span (RF), KK (CF) and Mallex Smith (LF). I just wish the Rays would time their moves better so I don’t have a freaking heart attack from how angry I’ve been the past few days.
kylelohse
Welcome to Rays fans. There aren’t a lot of us and most of them just s**t on every move they make. It’s even worse on TB Times page with all angry retired folks screaming about a 1 cent gas tax to raise money on the stadium move.
cxcx
Can we wait for Cron to hit more than 16 home runs before calling him a slugger.
Solaris601
Until then it’s fair to refer to him as an alleged slugger.
madmanTX
Probably an experiment in buying low with hopes of a great season and flipping as a rental to a contender at the deadline for prospects.
Skipperron51
I was a pirate fan for over 55 years. When Gomez played for Milwaukee he got into a fight with the pirates. He mainly ran his mouth and then ran. But before he left he held a pirate player arms down while another of his teammates hit the pirate player. Then Gomez talked like he and he alone took on the whole pirate team. He is a jerk and a big mouthed punk.I hate him. For the last 5 years I have been a Rays fan. I do not understand the stupid moves the Rays are making……but this is the worst. They are taking a good ballplayer with power and a low salary, one that is a good teammate and loves playing and always has a good time and trading him (basically) for this POS. I give up. I will find another team, even if the Rays are now my team for where I live. We lose Longoria, Dickerson, Odorizzi and now Souza and in return get some minor leagers and the aforementioned POS.
CheeseHeadPadre
The Padres sure are putting together an interesting group. 😉
geejohnny
I’ve also been a Pirate fan and I remember that game. The difference is that I’m willing to give him the benefit of the doubt now that he’s on the Rays as I’m a fan of both. Hopefully he’s matured.
Skipperron51
He hasn’t Still the same. Fans, some at least, like him if he is on their team, where all others generally feel close to the way I do.
azjack68
Cole was the reason your punkass Pirates got their butt whooped in that fight. Not Gomez.
hojostache
Smart move. $4m is far less than he was projected to get and he should easily be able to cover the cost with replacement-level play. He could have some surplus value if he bounces back, which would make him a solid deadline trade candidate. I figured he’d get a $6-$8m (maybe with some incentives) pillow contract.
As for Dickerson….they should have backed him with Ordozzi…as the return for him seemed light.
jmonroe
I picture two construction workers looking over the opening day starting line up when one says ” who are these F****** guys”
Lefty_Orioles_Fan
I didn’t know that Rays fans were so passionate, much less had a potty mouth
swinging wood
Lol, that would imply they will make it to the WS this year.
baines03
actually, they’d lose to the White Sox in the ALCS.
jaytai7918
He and Dickerson would be making close to the same money this year right and they cut payroll to DFA him? This makes no sense whatsoever I’d take Dickerson over Gomez in a heartbeat. Gomez is a whack job.
mike156
This is a Boras client for whom the prediction was 2/$22. Misreading the market, waiting too long, or just bad luck?
CursedRangers
It is interesting that all of Boras’s clients are signing so far below their predicted market.
Joe Orsulak
This is probably more like a $2M deal from the Ray’s view. If he plays decently they can most likely flip him for low level prospect.
ToddO
Russian bots clearly behind this ugly and potentially debilitating national debate over “serviceable” versus “solid” description of Carlos Gomez!?! People, we need to all come together and stop the serviceable hatred and solid vitriol.
fermier
“The deal also includes $500K in potential incentives and a $500K assignment bonus, per Jon Heyman of Fan Rag”
QUESTION: What is a “assignment Bonus?”
Chris
I know it’s been mentioned previously that Gomez and Dickerson are comparable players, but Dickerson’s upside was shown the first half of last season. After all the moves the Rays have made, they seem to be worse with not much young upcoming talent to show for it (at least gained through this offseason’s moves). As a Yankees fan I’m much more excited to play a team without Souza, Dickerson, and Longoria and instead facing against Cron, Gomez, and Span
Stevil
Gomez and Souza are probably closer. Both are RHH’s, play decent defense and offer power with a high K%.
But I don’t blame Tampa for shaking things up. Despite decent seasons from Souza and Dickerson (well, first half Dickerson, anyway), their offense wasn’t very good. They seemed to believe they were selling high on Souza and these moves were likely about future payroll as much as they were about payroll this season.
I understand it, but yeah, kind of ugly. Hard to feel good about Span rebounding. Hard to feel good about their infield in general being productive as well. The pitching should help carry the team, but really, at some point they’ll probably have to move a pitcher or two for a solid outfield bat. Maybe a couple of bats.