Texas Rangers Acquire Reliever Gonzalez Germen

The Texas Rangers acquired right-handed relief pitcher Gonzalez Germen from the New York Yankees for cash considerations.

The Dominican Republic native was signed by the New York Mets in 2007 as a free agent. Germen made his major league debut in July 2013.

He played the Mets three separate times in 2014. He started the season with the team, and then in May he was placed on the 15-day disabled list due to a virus. Activated in June, Germen was optioned to Las Vegas (AAA) in July where he would stay until being called-up in August.

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The 27-year old reliever pitched the same day he was recalled from Triple-A (8/19/2014) allowing two earned runs, issuing a walk and giving up a home run over 1.0 innings pitched. The New York Mets would once again option him on August 22 and recall him one more time in September.

The Mets designated Gonzalez Germen for assignment in December after he finished the 2014 season giving up 30 hits, 7 home runs and allowing 16 runs over 30.1 innings pitched.

The Mets traded him to the New York Yankees on December 19.

Right-handed batters have a more difficult time hitting off Germen with a batting average of .229 (14 R, 33 H, 1 HR, 44 SO) while lefties have an average of .274 (19 R, 29 H, 7 HR, 19 SO) in his major league career.

Gonzalez Germen has a career record of 1-2 with one save, 4.31 earned run average, allowing 62 hits, 31 earned runs, 8 home runs while earning 62 strikeouts over 64.2 innings pitched and a 1.423 WHIP.

While the Texas Rangers definitely need help in the bullpen I can see Gonzalez Germen being a situational reliever. Then again, maybe the Rangers acquired him to line up another trade. What do you think?

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