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MLB Offseason 2017: Top 50 free agents

By Joshua Sadlock

PHOENIX, AZ - SEPTEMBER 27: J.D. Martinez #28 of the Arizona Diamondbacks hits a solo home run in the ninth inning of the MLB game against the San Francisco Giants at Chase Field on September 27, 2017 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ - SEPTEMBER 27: J.D. Martinez #28 of the Arizona Diamondbacks hits a solo home run in the ninth inning of the MLB game against the San Francisco Giants at Chase Field on September 27, 2017 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images) /
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OAKLAND, CA – SEPTEMBER 22: Carlos Gomez #14 of the Texas Rangers bats against the Oakland Athletics in the top of the second inning at Oakland Alameda Coliseum on September 22, 2017 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA – SEPTEMBER 22: Carlos Gomez #14 of the Texas Rangers bats against the Oakland Athletics in the top of the second inning at Oakland Alameda Coliseum on September 22, 2017 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

42. Carlos Gomez

Two-time All-Star center fielder Carlos Gomez is coming off his first full season with the Texas Rangers as he attempts to inject life back into a career that appeared destined for greatness. Gomez was released by the Houston Astros in the second half of the 2016 season after a disappointing year and a half with the team. In 126 games with the Astros, he hit only .221/.277/.342 with nine home runs and 42 RBI.

Gomez stayed in the state of Texas after being dumped by Houston. In 138 games with the Rangers, he has hit .262/.345/.481 with 25 home runs and 75 RBI. Gomez has also stolen 18 bases. In his two All-Star years, Gomez had hit .284/.347/.491 with 47 home runs, 146 RBI and 74 stolen bases.

Entering his age-32 season, Gomez still has some upside potential left. At his best, he hits for power and is a threat on the bases. He has a quick fuse but has shown signs of maturing during his time with the Rangers.

A platoon role may be the best fit for Gomez the rest of his career. He hit .264/.352/.500 with 15 home runs and 36 RBI against right-handed pitching in 2017. Reverse splits like this can be difficult to predict from year to year, but Gomez has had more success against righties over the past few seasons.  Gomez’s defense has slid slightly since his days as a Gold Glover, but he is still average in center field and more than good enough to play the corners.

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