Pirates sign Gomez to one-year, $1 million contract
PITTSBURGH -- Chris Gomez, a 15-year veteran utility infielder who split last season between Baltimore and Cleveland, signed a $1 million, one-year contract Wednesday with the Pittsburgh Pirates.
| GM | HR | RBI | R | OBP | AVG |
| 92 | 1 | 21 | 21 | .325 | .297 |
The 36-year-old Gomez is the second backup infielder added by Pittsburgh since the season ended. Josh Wilson, who is from suburban Pittsburgh, was picked up from Tampa Bay in the Rule 5 draft earlier this month.
Jose Castillo, the Pirates' starting second baseman from 2004-06, was the club's primary backup infielder last season, with Cesar Izturis and Matt Kata added later in the season. Castillo has since been released and Kata was designated for assignment, and the Pirates did not pick up Izturis' option.
Gomez, a right-handed hitter, batted .297 with one home run and 21 RBIs in 222 at-bats last season and can play all four infield positions.
Gomez hit .319 in 301 at-bats with the Orioles in 2006-07 before being claimed on waivers by Cleveland on Aug. 2. He had a .283 average in 53 at-bats with Cleveland and has a .261 career average in 1,425 games with seven clubs, beginning with Detroit in 1993.
"We are happy to add his positive veteran presence to the Pirates' clubhouse," general manager Neal Huntington said.
The signing again puts the Pirates' roster at 40 and, barring any trades, effectively sets their infield for 2008. First baseman Adam LaRoche, second baseman Freddy Sanchez, shortstop Jack Wilson and third baseman Jose Bautista would return as starters.
Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press
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