Royals Rumors: Carlos Gomez could be an option for the Royals

Royals rumors might focus more on which members of the Kansas City Royals are leaving, but what about potential outsiders that could sign with the Royals? Carlos Gomez could be one of those guys.

The Kansas City Royals are more than likely going to need a new center fielder for 2018 and beyond. The options within the organization aren’t great, so the Royals might decide to go out and sign a free agent instead.

One of those options could be MLB journeyman Carlos Gomez, who has spent time with the Mets, Twins, Brewers, Astros, and Rangers over his 11 year career. Gomez is a free agent this offseason and Tim Dierkes of MLB Trade Rumors predicted that the outfielder could sign with the KC Royals.

Dierkes had this to say about Gomez in his write-up,

When healthy, [Gomez] is a decent hitter and has the ability to swipe bags with his speed.

"Gomez was a superstar for the 2013-14 Brewers.  After that he battled injuries and tanked after a 2015 trade to Houston.  He’s since become useful again, hitting .262/.345/.481 in his 556 plate appearances with the Rangers.  Gomez is able to play an average center field as he approaches his 32nd birthday, but he continues to have trouble with injuries.  He can still help a team like the Royals, Mariners, Orioles, Blue Jays, Indians, Athletics, or Giants."

Dierkes predicted the Royals would give Gomez a two-year deal worth $22 million, which isn’t crazy. As mentioned above, however, Gomez has battled injuries recently and he’ll be 32 when the season commences in late March.

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The Royals know the story of signing an aging outfielder with some injury concerns (Alex Gordon, anyone?) so fans might not initially be on board with Carlos Gomez coming to Kansas City. Gomez has been an effective hitter and like Dierkes said, he plays decent defense, so it could end up working out.

Gomez is a bit of a hot head though, and Royals fans might remember seeing that firsthand in the 2015 ALDS when Gomez was with the Astros. He’s never been one to shy away from sharing his emotions.

The other center field options for the Royals are to move Alex Gordon to center and put Jorge Bonifacio and Jorge Soler in left and right field. They could also utilize Paulo Orlando, who is the most experienced outfielder on the team at the moment.

Other options would be speedster Billy Burns and minor leaguer Bubba Starling, but neither of those guys seem like realistic options. Burns isn’t quite there offensively yet and Starling has yet to take a bat in the major leagues.

The Kansas City Royals need a center fielder and Carlos Gomez could fit that mold. When healthy, he’s a decent hitter and has the ability to swipe bags with his speed. Perhaps this is a signing that could happen or maybe it’s just another one of those crazy Royals rumors we’re going to see throughout this offseason.

Would you be okay with the Kansas City Royals inking Carlos Gomez to a two year contract?