Boras: Gomez picks Texas over bigger deals

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. — Scott Boras made it clear what position Carlos Gomez expects to play for the Rangers after the veteran agreed to a one-year, $11.5 million contract on Tuesday night.

“Yes, he is going to play center,” Boras, Gomez’s agent, said Wednesday afternoon at the Winter Meetings.

Ian Desmond played center field for the Rangers this past season, while Gomez was used at the corner outfield spots after joining the team on Aug. 20. But Desmond agreed to a five-year, $70 million contract with the Rockies, so Gomez now takes over in center field for Texas.

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The Rangers have not officially announced the deal or commented on it, because a physical is pending. They also have a full 40-man roster. An announcement may not happen until next week.

Boras said Gomez turned down multiyear offers from other teams to return to the Rangers for just one year. Boras said Gomez especially connected with Rangers hitting coach Anthony Iapoce and assistant Justin Mashore.

“Carlos went to Texas and really found himself as a hitter,” Boras said. “He had a .905 OPS. He really found something with the hitting coach and the staff that allowed him for the first time in his career to be selective at the plate. He felt he wanted to continue in with that group. He actually turned down multiyear offers to bet on himself for that …

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