Hey, Remember Alexis Gomez?

by Ian Casselberry on Jan 6, 2009 10:15 PM EST in Detroit Tigers News

Well, if you've been dying for the Detroit Tigers to do something - anything - in free agency, you got your wish tonight. They did indeed make a move, but unfortunately, it's not an addition to the pitching staff. And it's arguable whether or not this player will add much to the major league roster.

The Tigers brought back outfielder Alexis Gomez, signing him to a minor league contract. He's been in the minors the past two seasons, playing in the Marlins organization last year, and with the Rockies Triple-A team in 2007.

It's difficult to see how Gomez fits on the Tigers, though perhaps the team envisions him as a left-handed reserve while Clete Thomas recovers from shoulder surgery. According to Jason Beck, his contract will be worth $425,000 if he stays on the major league roster throughout next season.

Gomez is probably best known for his surprising contribution to the Tigers' postseason in 2006. In the ALCS vs. Oakland, he hit 4-for-9, with a Game 2 performance that included one home run and four RBIs. I remember him mostly for this picture taken during Spring Training that year, in which a trick of the light makes it look a pink bow is tied around his bat.

In 111 regular season plate appearances with Detroit that season, Gomez hit .272/.318/.388 with one home run and nine RBIs.

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How do you spell de ja vu?

Anyway, I googled his name the other day trying to find out what team he was with. Didn’t find a thing, though. Felt bad for him after he got cut loose and sent to Colorado.

by densogirl on Jan 6, 2009 10:41 PM EST reply actions

Remembering

his first call up to the Tigers and he got the winning hit. Price and Dickerson named him player of the game and did an interview in which he could barely speak a word of English, but he was so happy!

by densogirl on Jan 7, 2009 7:17 AM EST up reply actions

Opportunity for bad

Nothing against Gomez, but I worry that given another useless bullet in his gun, Leyland might be too tempted to not only bring him north but to actually use him.

by billfer1 on Jan 7, 2009 5:26 AM EST reply actions

Maybe just the beginning of moves

Playing back Gomez really make a lot of sense unless they are going to trade an outfielder or Larish. They should have treated T Perez better because he has had two excellent years at AAA and got the offense going in the last stages of 07 for the Tigers.