Ben Gamel DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

According to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com, the Detroit Tigers have signed outfielder Ben Gamel to a minor-league contract. Last season, Gamel spent time with the New York Mets and Houston Astros. Across 38 contests, Gamel posted a .247/.394/.333 slash line with one home run and one stolen base. However, he generated an impressive .343 xwOBA and drew walks at an elite 18.2 percent. In 45 games at the Triple-A level, Gamel posted a .314/.423/.538 slash line with 12 doubles and seven home runs. Fantasy managers should monitor Gamel's progress at Triple-A as he could push for an early return to the majors, given the number of injuries in the Detroit outfield. If Gamel were to be promoted to the major leagues, he could have value in deeper AL-only formats.

Free-agent outfielder Ben Gamel (leg) and the Houston Astros agreed to a one-year, $1.2 million deal on Wednesday, sources told ESPN's Jeff Passan. Gamel's deal includes a $200,000 signing bonus, with the remaining $1 million being non-guaranteed. The 32-year-old veteran outfielder began the 2024 season with the New York Mets and played in only 18 games before eventually joining Houston to close out the year. Gamel played in only 20 games with the Astros and finished the year on the 60-day injured list due to a fibula injury. In total, he appeared in only 38 big-league games and went 20-for-81 (.247) with a homer, four RBI and one stolen base. In spring training this year, Gamel will merely be trying to win an Opening Day roster spot as outfield depth behind the likes of Yordan Alvarez, Mauricio Dubon, Chas McCormick and Jake Meyers, among others.

Houston Astros general manager Dana Brown said on KBME-AM in Houston on Sunday that outfielder Ben Gamel (leg) is likely done for the year due to a left-fibula fracture. Gamel injured his knee running into the fall to make a catch against the Los Angeles Angels on Sept. 14. "Most likely probably takes him out for the postseason," Brown said. "It's really a shame because he was playing really well." The 32-year-old came to Houston after being cut from the New York Mets' roster. He ended up playing in just 38 total games in 2024 and hit .247 (20-for-81) with one homer and four RBI in 99 plate appearances with the Mets and Astros. He was much better in his 20 games in Houston, batting .259 (15-for-58) with a homer and four RBI. With Gamel out for the rest of the way as the club gets set for another playoff appearance, the left-handed-hitting Jason Heyward will benefit from platoon work in the outfield.