Former Seattle Mariners' outfielder Ben Gamel will join the New York Mets in spring training this year as a non-roster invitee.
The following update comes from the Rotowire fantasy baseball portal:
Gamel signed a minor-league contract with the Mets on Monday that includes an invitation to spring training.
ANALYSIS
Gamel got into six games with the Padres in 2023 but spent most of the year in the minors. The 31-year-old is a career .252/.332/.384 hitter over parts of eight big-league seasons and could have a shot to break camp in a reserve outfielder role with the Mets.
Gamel has played for the Yankees, Mariners, Brewers, Guardians, Pirates and Padres in his career, but his best stretch came with the Mariners from 2016-2018. In parts of three seasons, he hit .270 with 13 homers in Seattle. He has 40 homers in his career and a perfect 200 RBI.
He was also a fan favorite because of the hustle he displayed (and because of his fun and wavy hair). Mariners fans would undoubtedly enjoy seeing him have success with the Mets.
Given his recent struggles, he'll be up against the eight-ball trying to make the Mets as well. New York currently has Harrison Bader, Starling Marte, Brandon Nimmo, Alex Ramirez, DJ Stewart and Tyrone Taylor as outfielders on the 40-man roster.
If everyone is healthy, Bader, Marte and Nimmo seem like givens. Perhaps Gamel could sneak in over Taylor, who was acquired this year from the Brewers.
Mets pitchers and catchers report to camp in Port St. Lucie, Fla. this week. They finished fourth in the National League East a season ago.
As for the Mariners, pitchers and catchers report to camp in Peoria, Ariz. this week. The M's finished 88-74 last season.
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