ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Free agent outfielder Ben Gamel agreed to a minor league contract with the Tampa Bay Rays, according to a person with knowledge of the deal.
The person spoke to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the team had not announced the agreement, which was pending completion of a physical.
The deal was first reported by the Tampa Bay Times, which said the contract was being finalized.
Gamel, who turns 31 on May 17, will be given a chance to compete for a spot on the major league roster in spring training. He hit .232 with nine home runs and 46 RBIs in 115 games with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2022.
The one-time Yankees prospect is a .253 career hitter with 40 homers and 198 RBIs over portions of seven seasons with New York, Seattle, Milwaukee, Cleveland and Pittsburgh. The left-handed hitter’s most productive year was 2017, when he batted .275 with 11 home runs and 59 RBIs in 134 games with the Mariners.
