The Tampa Bay Rays made the Carlos Gomez deal official on Saturday, designating INF Ryan Schimpf for assignment in order to clear room on the 40-man roster.
…Welcome to the #Rays, @RealCarlosGomez! pic.twitter.com/cZnCq4k8H6
— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) March 3, 2018
Really excited to be here, we’re gonna have some fun!!! Wooooo #RicFlairVoice 🙌🏽🙌🏽⚾️⚾️
— Carlos Gomez (@RealCarlosGomez) March 4, 2018
Gomez, who signed a one-year, $4-million deal on February 21, can earn $500,000 in incentives and his deal has a $500,000 trade bonus. The incentives are based on games played — Gomez will rake in $100-thousand each for 80, 90, 100, 110 and 120 games.
The 11-year veteran is expected to add to the lineup, and quickly.
A lot, manager Kevin Cash said. He’s similar to the player that we lost in the fact that he plays real good defense and brings a lot of energy. He’s a veteran guy who knows the league pretty well. I’m excited probably more than anything just the energy. … I think everyone will welcome him real quickly.
Schimpf, who was acquired from San Diego in a minor December trade, was projected to make the Rays’ Opening Day roster in a bench depth role.
The decision to DFA is curious, and the team will likely rely on a mix of Joey Wendle and Daniel Robertson behind a starting infield mix that includes Brad Miller, C.J. Cron, Adeiny Hechavarria and Matt Duffy until Christian Arroyo and Willy Adames force their way onto the big league squad.
Cash told Neil Solondz (Rays Radio, Twitter link) the decision was based on a roster crunch. If he passes through waivers, they would be happy to keep him in the fold.
Gomez worked out in Port Charlotte on Sunday, and is expected to get some at-bats in a simulated game on Tuesday. He will likely start playing in exhibition games by week’s end.