HOUSTON — The Houston Astros’ search for a left-handed hitting outfielder brought them to a familiar face.
The team is in agreement with Ben Gamel on a one-year major-league contract that could pay him up to $1.2 million, two sources told The Athletic on Wednesday night.
As part of a signing bonus, Gamel is guaranteed $200,000. If Gamel makes the Opening Day roster — and there is a clear path for him to do so — the other $1 million will become guaranteed.
Last August, the Astros claimed Gamel off waivers from the New York Mets as the club tried to cobble together any semblance of outfield consistency. Gamel responded with a .259/.377/.362 slash line across 69 plate appearances, teaming with Jason Heyward to provide a short-term solution to the Astros’ season-long outfield issues.
Gamel’s season ended on Sept. 14, after he fractured his left fibula crashing into a wall at Angel Stadium. Gamel passed a physical for this new contract and is expected to be a full participant in spring training, a league source said.
If he produces in spring training, Gamel has a great chance to make Houston’s Opening Day roster as either a fourth outfielder or part of a platoon in left field. The Astros are toying with the possibility of moving second baseman Jose Altuve to left field, but haven’t committed to a full-fledged position change. Ostensibly, Gamel could appear in the outfield on days Altuve plays second base. Prospect Zach Dezenzo saw time in left field during his stint in Puerto Rican winter ball and is also an option.
Manager Joe Espada has already vowed to “cut down” Yordan Alvarez’s playing time in left field, a place in which he started 53 games last season. Alvarez and backup first baseman Jon Singleton are the only true left-handed hitters on Houston’s projected Opening Day roster — an imbalance that Gamel will help to correct.
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