Astros re-sign Gamel to 1-year deal reportedly worth $1.2M
The Houston Astros re-signed outfielder Ben Gamel to a one-year contract, they announced Wednesday.
Gamel's deal is worth $1.2 million, sources told ESPN's Jeff Passan. However, only $200,000 of that figure is guaranteed in the form a signing bonus, Passan reports.
Gamel appeared in 38 games last season split between the Astros and New York Mets. He joined Houston as a waiver claim in late August and became a solid contributor to the AL West champions down the stretch, hitting .259/.377/.362 with one home run, four RBIs, and 11 walks in 69 plate appearances.
However, Gamel's season ended in early September when he fractured his fibula after hitting the wall while making a stellar running catch. He's apparently fully recovered from the injury as he passed his physical with Houston and will have no restrictions in spring training, a source told Chandler Rome of The Athletic.
Assuming he makes the team, the 32-year-old left-handed hitter adds some much-needed outfield depth to Houston's bench. He'd be a candidate to form the left-handed half of a left-field platoon that could involve Mauricio Dubón and Jose Altuve. Gamel also has experience playing center and right.
He doesn't possess a ton of power, but Gamel has a knack for getting on base and owns a lifetime 10.5 walk percentage. However, he's always struggled to hit southpaws.
The Florida native is a lifetime .252/.334/.382 hitter with 41 home runs and 204 RBIs across parts of nine big-league seasons with eight teams.