Rangers have nothing to lose in signing Gomez

The Texas Rangers are in low-risk, high-reward mode with the signing of Carlos Gomez.

Gomez was available because he had been released by the Astros. His performance for the Houston club was clearly sub-standard.

Still, there are knowledgeable people around baseball shaking their heads over that performance; figuring that Gomez should have something substantial left in his career.

He is, after all, only 30. He is just two years removed from a second straight All-Star appearance. He is only three years removed from being a Gold Glove center fielder.

Gomez had, in that recent work, a rare blend of speed and power. Over the 2013 and 2014 seasons with the Milwaukee Brewers, Gomez had 74 stolen bases and 47 home runs. Plus, he played the game at full throttle on a daily basis.

• Rangers sign veteran outfielder Gomez

Combine those qualities with the fact that the Rangers have lost outfielder Shin-Soo Choo with a fractured left forearm, and you have a set of circumstances that make the signing of Gomez an entirely reasonable move.

Gomez is expected to play briefly at Triple-A Round Rock before being called up to the Rangers. Manager Jeff Banister made it clear Sunday that Gomez will not be joining the Rangers merely to provide outfield depth, but will be given the opportunity to be the regular left fielder.

“We’ll get …

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