Cleveland Guardians sign Anthony Gose to two-year contract

The Cleveland Guardians kept left-handed reliever Anthony Gose in the organization with a two-year minor league contract.

Left-handed pitcher Anthony Gose and the Cleveland Guardians are in agreement on a two-year minor-league contract, according to sources. Gose is expected to miss the 2023 season after he underwent Tommy John surgery in September.

The deal pays $1 million per season if he’s in the big leagues, sources said.

Gose, 32, originally made his major-league debut as an outfielder, only hitting .240/.309/.348 in five seasons with the Blue Jays and Tigers. He transitioned to working off the mound in 2017 and became a full-time pitcher with the Rangers in 2018. In Cleveland, he posted a 3.90 ERA in 28 innings the past two seasons, while posting a 3.90 ERA and 31.9 strikeout percentage.

What can Anthony Gose do for the Cleveland Guardians?

While Gose has struggled with command, with his walk rate at 19.8 percent, he boasts a fastball that touches 98 mph. His upside is intriguing and for a team like the Guardians, who have had success maximizing pitchers’ upside in the past, taking a low-risk gamble on a pitcher like Gose makes plenty of sense.

The Guardians, meanwhile, are expected to be active this winter. They are in need of upgrades in both the lineup and the rotation. A player like Sean Murphy, the coveted Oakland A’s catcher, could make sense to solidify the backstop. They could explore both the trade market and free agency to add another starting pitcher.

Talks throughout baseball have accelerated in the days leading up to the Winter Meetings. It’s possible that there could be deals consummated before teams and agents gather in San Diego on Sunday. But the meetings promise to be active — and it’s possible that a big name or two come off the board.