As teams scour what's left on the free agent market during the dog days of January, they'll be hard-pressed to find a better power hitter from the right side than Jonny Gomes. The 29-year-old hit 20 homers in just 314 plate appearances for the Reds last season, and over the last five years he's averaged close to 30 bombs per 162 games.
Cincinnati non-tendered Gomes instead of giving him a significant raise (through arbitration) over the pro-rated $600K salary he earned in 2009. He owns a career .274/.369/.517 batting line versus left handers, though he doesn't do much beyond mash southpaws. He doesn't steal bases, and his outfield defense can be charitably described as awful.
The Cubs filled their outfield hole by agreeing to deal with Xavier Nady earlier in the week, and the Yankees did the same by inking Randy Winn today. With his options drying up, do MLBTR's readers see any potential fits for Gomes? Maybe Atlanta or Seattle?
I think better fit with Atlanta considering Heyward will be ready in June and he got power.
Not sure about that but I will say this:
Johnny’s can’t get signed this off-season
Johnny Damon
Jonny Gomes
Johnny Smoltz
Whats going on here!?!?
I think Gomes would be a good fit on the Tigers.
That’s funny.
The Angels need a 4th OF (Sorry Reggie Willits is a bum) and he could be good insurance if Rivera/Abreu/Matsui get injured.
I like the Braves on this one, though I really expected the Yankees to get involved in this one. I guess he may have been out of their price range, but I don’t see Atlanta spending more than 2-3 million on Gomes… It will be interesting to see where he ends up. His defense is quite terrible… I don’t know that they’d choose Gomes over Damon, if the reason they don’t want Damon has to do with his arm… Gomes can barely catch the ball.
I understand that Gomes is a butcher with a glove in the outfield, but he can flat rake, especially vs. lefties. Maybe some work at 1b and he becomes a very productive platoon player and bat off the bench in Citifield. Heaven knows the Mets could use some juice on that anemic bench, and with Delgado a DH, power may be scarce.
Don’t like Atlanta as a fit. I think the reason we were able to look at Damon as a fit for them was because of his ability to hit at the front of the lineup, therefore boosting the lineup by pushing McLouth down and having someone on base more often infront of the big bats. They don’t really NEED another OF bat if it is not going to improve the lineup.
I understand that he’s a butcher in the OF. Perhaps some work at 1b might make him at least servicable there, and a very productive power bat off the bench and half of a platoon there at Citifield.
I’m sure he’ll find a spot on someones bench. But I doubt Atlanta.
Maybe Chicago as part of the rotating-dh scheme.
i don’t think mah braves would pick this off the scrap heap. why? plenty of reasons:
-they already have plenty of outfielders. good defensive ones, too.
-it’s been recently written and posted on mlbtraderumors that the braves aren’t going after johnny damon because his arm sucks, he’s not versatile enough, and he’s gonna be too expensive. those first two reasons can be said about gomes.
-mah braves already have an outfielder who can hit lefties: matt diaz. diaz may not hit as many home runs, but he strikes out about half the time as gomes does, he plays better defense (maybe not gold glove defense but it’s better than gomes), and hits for a much much higher average than gomes.
CAREER STATS:
Gomes against RHP: .224 BA
Diaz against RHP: .276 BA
Gomes against LHP: .274 BA
Diaz against LHP: .347 BA
if the braves were to go out and actually sign gomes, where would they put him? he’d be nothing but a bench player, and the braves have their bench pretty much set with infante, hinske, ross, and whoever that 4th outfielder is from the group of diaz/cabrera/heyward/mclouth.
Why not back in Cincy for the right price? I could see that happening if he goes cheaply.
I don’t see Atlanta as a fit for Gomes as he is a worse version of Diaz:
Diaz-
2009 vsLHP: .412/.464/.640/1.103 25HR/162G
Career vsLHP: .347/.384/.537/.921 23HR/162G
UZR/150 in LF: +6.2
Not an auto out vsRHP (2009): .349 OBP
Some speed: ~15 SB per season
Gomes-
2009 vsLHP: .307/.369/.545/.914 29HR/162G
Career vsLHP: .274/.369/.517/.885 32HR/162G
UZR/150 in LF: -25.7
Lower OBP vsRHP (2009): .320 OBP
Less speed: ~5-10 SB per season
Gomes will hit more HR than Diaz but he hits for a lower average, gets on base less, slugs less, an easier out vsRHP, has less speed, and is a worse fielder.
And the Braves already have a full bench with:
Infante UTL
Ross C
Cabrera 4OF
Hinske Corners/PH
Thurston INF
There just isn’t room or a need for Gomes on the Braves in my opinion.
yep yep you right on bbxxj! check out my post from earlier!
Where does he fit in Atlanta? The club has all but come out and just blatently say they’re counting on him winning the job, though it was reported by MSNBC that they’re going in with a “It’s his to lose” approach.” They have McClouth in Center, hopefully Diaz in Left and Melky currently as the 4th. A platoon with Diaz doesn’t work as they both mash lefties. Barring him deciding to give 1B a shot there isn’t a spot for him now.
kinda makes me wish the twins picked up Gomes instead of Thome.
NPB. With his power, he might be a megastar over there as a DH.
what’s npb?
Nippon Professional Baseball or Japan’s MLB
Dodgers would be a good fit. They have no reliable #4 OF right now and if Andre Ethier’s struggles vs. LHP continue, Gomes would be an excellent platoon partner.
If the Royals can find a way to get rid of Gullien, he’d be an excellent DH fit. (Though, having already added 4 outfielders this off-season, and currently having 7 on the 25 man roster, it’ll be amusing)
The Rays could bring him back. He’d be better than Matt Joyce. Wouldn’t mind him as a 4th outfielder on the Sox as we’re low on power and Jones and Quentin are injury risks.
But I’d prefer Eric Byrnes. Gomes strikes out a bit too much for as little as he walks and is a poor defender.
as long as Damon is still out there I don’t see the Mariners making a move for him because of his defense.
Damon’s arm + Safeco Field= Alot of runners scoring from 2B on singles and going 1st to 3rd that normally wouldn’t even try it. His range is alright but he is the anti-Ichiro throwing.
…and the fact that poor Mr. Wilson’s defense will suffer because he will be exausted from running out to LF so Damon can hand the ball to him.
Mariners are going to sign either damon or gomes. They need a legimate power threat to appease the fan base and watch orlando hudson goin to the m’s. Twins may sign him and trade him to the M’s for jose lopez who they like a whole lot more.
I was thinking possibly the Mets at 1B, considering his abilities as an OF are pretty bad. The Mets also desperately need a power hitter at 1B, with Delgado unlikely to return to the team. Give him a low base salary with some incentives, and you have a low risk, high reward situation.
Also if that doesn’t work mariners still may trade lopez to twins for liriano. They need a number 3 starter badly. I have connections in the organization. My brother works for ticket sales and he hears things. Watch as things unfold.
Yeah…no. Seattle doesn’t need a #3 starter they need a #4. And Liriano isn’t even a #4. He had great potential but he just kept getting injured and proved last season, he just don’t have it anymore. If Seattle traded Lopez, the need to get a bat back. Only Kubel would spark interest off that roster…and there is no way the Twins trade him for Lopez. They arn’t that desperate for a 2B. No one knows who RRS is and that’s ok. He will give you 6-7innings and give up ~3 runs every time. He is the definition of an average innings eater. And he has upside seeing as how the defense behind him favors his style. He is a the younger version of Washburn. With that said, Seattle should sign Washburn again. He was great here once a defense was put behind him and he ended up with the lowest BABIP in baseball.
I dont know how the Twins think of Kubel, but would a package of Lopez and French or maybe some other pitcher from the pen be enough?
Yeah…no. Seattle doesn’t need a #3 starter they need a #4. And Liriano isn’t even a #4. He had great potential but he just kept getting injured and proved last season, he just don’t have it anymore. If Seattle traded Lopez, the need to get a bat back. Only Kubel would spark interest off that roster…and there is no way the Twins trade him for Lopez. They arn’t that desperate for a 2B. No one knows who RRS is and that’s ok. He will give you 6-7innings and give up ~3 runs every time. He is the definition of an average innings eater. And he has upside seeing as how the defense behind him favors his style. He is a the younger version of Washburn. With that said, Seattle should sign Washburn again. He was great here once a defense was put behind him and he ended up with the lowest BABIP in baseball.
I dont know how the Twins think of Kubel, but would a package of Lopez and French or maybe some other pitcher from the pen be enough?
i don’t see the Braves as a fit here, we already have enough outfielders. Maybe he’d be a tiny possibility if he’s still available at the end of spring training and we ended up deciding that Heyward needs some AAA? He’d be traded as soon as Heyward is ready though. I doubt that happening though, I really do think J-Hey will begin the season in Atlanta.
I agree on the Dodgers. Manny is going to get time off this year and Gomes fits well. Dodgers are supposedly looking for a 4th OFer with pop.
He might be a fit on the Marlins. They have Ross, Maybin, and Coghlan in the outfield, but Coghlan can probably move to second if Uggla is dealt, or maybe put him on 3B and have Cantu shift to first. I’m running out of ideas here.
I’m also thinking about the Indians and Blue Jays. None of these fits are ideal but there aren’t many open spots left. Someone would probably have to get dealt on the team who signs him if he gets consistent AB’s.
Would not mind seeing Damon play ball in Seattle this year. Saunders could use another year in AAA. I can’t believe that Gomes would be their answer because of the way the m”s are built for defense. Even with his abyssmal throwing arm, Damon is way better defensively. As far needed a #3 starter, think RRS will emerge this year as a serious force and could be a legit #2 guy on most rosters by year’s end. Would love to see J. Lopez replaced, but not by Hudson. Would much rather see felipe Lopez for a year and then Ackley should be ready.
Would not mind seeing Damon play ball in Seattle this year. Saunders could use another year in AAA. I can’t believe that Gomes would be their answer because of the way the m”s are built for defense. Even with his abyssmal throwing arm, Damon is way better defensively. As far needed a #3 starter, think RRS will emerge this year as a serious force and could be a legit #2 guy on most rosters by year’s end. Would love to see J. Lopez replaced, but not by Hudson. Would much rather see felipe Lopez for a year and then Ackley should be ready.
Sadly, as much as we need more offense, we have no more on the bench or the outfield, so Gomes appears to be a misfit for the Braves. Prehaps the Rangers? M’s have a shot, but I doubt it. The Brewers could be a match as well.
“Sadly, as much as we need more offense”
Gota stop reading all the talking points. The Braves scored the second most runs in the NL over the second half of the season and adding Heyward to the mix and a healthy Glaus will continue to make the Braves a dangerous team.
And I know that we don’t have anyone who will hit 30-40 HRs but McLouth, Chipper, Glaus, McCann, can all hit 20+ with Heyward and Diaz not far behind. The entire team can get on base and Prado, Chipper, McCann, and Escobar are all great contact hitters.
“Sadly, as much as we need more offense”
Gota stop reading all the talking points. The Braves scored the second most runs in the NL over the second half of the season and adding Heyward to the mix and a healthy Glaus will continue to make the Braves a dangerous team.
And I know that we don’t have anyone who will hit 30-40 HRs but McLouth, Chipper, Glaus, McCann, can all hit 20+ with Heyward and Diaz not far behind. The entire team can get on base and Prado, Chipper, McCann, and Escobar are all great contact hitters.
I was unaware of the second half scoring stat, but that also with a red hot Adam LaRoche. Granted a healthy Glaus will produce, but I would have prefered a bigger bat in the cleanup spot. But as an always optimistic Braves fan, I think Chipper can rebound, McCann can see the ball, and Heyward can start a new era of Braves baseball!
True, losing LaRoche(the second half version) will hurt but its equally important to note that G. Anderson will no longer be hitting fifth (poorly) and playing (in a loose sense of the word) LF which nearly offset all the good LaRoche was doing. Replacing Anderson and LaRoche with Glaus and Heyward -with Diaz over to LF- is still an overall offensive and defensive upgrade.
Being unaware of how good we were in the second half is not unsual as its stated over and over that the Braves have a bad offense when that is simply not the case. Even with our horrid first half we ended up 6th in in NL in runs scored for the whole season.
True, losing LaRoche(the second half version) will hurt but its equally important to note that G. Anderson will no longer be hitting fifth (poorly) and playing (in a loose sense of the word) LF which nearly offset all the good LaRoche was doing. Replacing Anderson and LaRoche with Glaus and Heyward -with Diaz over to LF- is still an overall offensive and defensive upgrade.
Being unaware of how good we were in the second half is not unsual as its stated over and over that the Braves have a bad offense when that is simply not the case. Even with our horrid first half we ended up 6th in in NL in runs scored for the whole season.
when discussing the Braves offense keep in mind that is was the first half that totally killed them. Anderson was hitting cleanup for Bobby in the 1st part of the season (73AB’s of .684 OPS in that spot also). Then keep in mind that we rounded off the bottom of the order with Frenchy, KJ, and Schafer. All of those guys at one point had a sub .300OBP. This offense is better, however, adding another bat whether its Heyward or anyone else isnt a bad thing. Im not a fan of Gomes
when discussing the Braves offense keep in mind that is was the first half that totally killed them. Anderson was hitting cleanup for Bobby in the 1st part of the season (73AB’s of .684 OPS in that spot also). Then keep in mind that we rounded off the bottom of the order with Frenchy, KJ, and Schafer. All of those guys at one point had a sub .300OBP. This offense is better, however, adding another bat whether its Heyward or anyone else isnt a bad thing. Im not a fan of Gomes
I was unaware of the second half scoring stat, but that also with a red hot Adam LaRoche. Granted a healthy Glaus will produce, but I would have prefered a bigger bat in the cleanup spot. But as an always optimistic Braves fan, I think Chipper can rebound, McCann can see the ball, and Heyward can start a new era of Braves baseball!
Sadly, as much as we need more offense, we have no more on the bench or the outfield, so Gomes appears to be a misfit for the Braves. Prehaps the Rangers? M’s have a shot, but I doubt it. The Brewers could be a match as well.
Didn’t he say he wanted to be a Cub. I think and I know others do too that we still need to strengthen our bench. With our injury history we could use him and he will get playing time. 1 yr 2.5 mil?
Didn’t he say he wanted to be a Cub. I think and I know others do too that we still need to strengthen our bench. With our injury history we could use him and he will get playing time. 1 yr 2.5 mil?
I really don’t see Gomes signing with Seattle. Jack Z is looking for Defense and he doesn’t have that. Ya he’d be a good DH but they already have that position filled with either Griffey or Bradley.
I want Damon in Seattle…He would come cheap and play LF better than Bradley. Damons fielding isn’t as bad as people say it is.
I really don’t see Gomes signing with Seattle. Jack Z is looking for Defense and he doesn’t have that. Ya he’d be a good DH but they already have that position filled with either Griffey or Bradley.
I want Damon in Seattle…He would come cheap and play LF better than Bradley. Damons fielding isn’t as bad as people say it is.
Didn’t Gomes say he wanted to Join the Cubs, or something like that? I still think the Cubs could strengthen their bench. Could he still end up in Chicago? What is he asking for? 1yr 2 mil?
Didn’t Gomes say he wanted to Join the Cubs, or something like that? I still think the Cubs could strengthen their bench. Could he still end up in Chicago? What is he asking for? 1yr 2 mil?
Here is where jackie z earns his money. I would like to see byrnes in here the most followed by damon and then gomes. Byrnes does strike out a lot but provides a power threat and is not horrible in the field. But the deal with most of these guys is that they would be signed to play dh. milton will play left and griffey’s at-bats will be cut. But that’s not a horrible thing.
Here is where jackie z earns his money. I would like to see byrnes in here the most followed by damon and then gomes. Byrnes does strike out a lot but provides a power threat and is not horrible in the field. But the deal with most of these guys is that they would be signed to play dh. milton will play left and griffey’s at-bats will be cut. But that’s not a horrible thing.
30 bombs? #4 outfielder for the Dodgers.
30 bombs? #4 outfielder for the Dodgers.
Seattle hopefully won’t touch him, he looks like Richie Sexson all over again, and without the monster season or two that Sexson once had. He might be okay in Atlanta, but…. I think they have enough veteran outfielders.
Seattle hopefully won’t touch him, he looks like Richie Sexson all over again, and without the monster season or two that Sexson once had. He might be okay in Atlanta, but…. I think they have enough veteran outfielders.
As a Cub fan up here in north idaho i get to see a lot of M’s games as well. They could use a guy like Gomes or Dye. Gomes is the best fit IMO as a cheap bat from the right side. If Dye or Damon can come in under 3M then they would be better but i doubt that Damon would be that low and Dye may or may not be worth the money.
The M’s and Trader Jack have made some outstanding moves this offseason but they are still a couple pieces away. one is a middle of the order bat. I think Gomes could solve that by platooning in LF and at DH depending on the LHP/RHP matchup for that day.
I think a trade of Lopez to get a 3rd starter would be preferable as well. If the Twins are the trading partner id pass on Liriano and try for Scott Baker instead. Another team that could be in need of a 2B is Tampa Bay. Perhaps a package of Lopez, Snell, and another young pitcher could get them James Shields.
That would leave you with a rotation of Felix, Lee, Baker/Shields, RRS, and one from the group of French, Petit, Fister, Olson, and Vargas with French or Petit being the most likely.
Then as for 2B you sign a 1 year guy like Felipe Lopez or Adam Kennedy til Ackley is ready next year.
That leaves you with a very solid albeit not very powerful lineup of
Ichiro RF
Figgins 3B
Gutierrez CF
Bradley LF/DH
Gomes/Dye LF/DH
Kotchman 1B
Johnson/Moore C
Wilson SS
Lopez/Kennedy 2B
They will rely on pitching defense and OBP to get it done and win the west.
As a Cub fan up here in north idaho i get to see a lot of M’s games as well. They could use a guy like Gomes or Dye. Gomes is the best fit IMO as a cheap bat from the right side. If Dye or Damon can come in under 3M then they would be better but i doubt that Damon would be that low and Dye may or may not be worth the money.
The M’s and Trader Jack have made some outstanding moves this offseason but they are still a couple pieces away. one is a middle of the order bat. I think Gomes could solve that by platooning in LF and at DH depending on the LHP/RHP matchup for that day.
I think a trade of Lopez to get a 3rd starter would be preferable as well. If the Twins are the trading partner id pass on Liriano and try for Scott Baker instead. Another team that could be in need of a 2B is Tampa Bay. Perhaps a package of Lopez, Snell, and another young pitcher could get them James Shields.
That would leave you with a rotation of Felix, Lee, Baker/Shields, RRS, and one from the group of French, Petit, Fister, Olson, and Vargas with French or Petit being the most likely.
Then as for 2B you sign a 1 year guy like Felipe Lopez or Adam Kennedy til Ackley is ready next year.
That leaves you with a very solid albeit not very powerful lineup of
Ichiro RF
Figgins 3B
Gutierrez CF
Bradley LF/DH
Gomes/Dye LF/DH
Kotchman 1B
Johnson/Moore C
Wilson SS
Lopez/Kennedy 2B
They will rely on pitching defense and OBP to get it done and win the west.
Although i would say that the best options as far as a middle of the order bat arent Gomes or Dye. The best option is Carlos Delgado. With the Mets signing Tatis odds are he wont return to NY and if he can play the field once or twice a week and DH the rest he should be able to get back to the form he had in 2008. He could be this year Russell Branyan.
Although i would say that the best options as far as a middle of the order bat arent Gomes or Dye. The best option is Carlos Delgado. With the Mets signing Tatis odds are he wont return to NY and if he can play the field once or twice a week and DH the rest he should be able to get back to the form he had in 2008. He could be this year Russell Branyan.
Not saying they would do this however last season the Jays limited Travis Snider vs Left handers if they do that again they could put Adam Lind in LF vs Lefties and play Gnomes at DH.
Not saying they would do this however last season the Jays limited Travis Snider vs Left handers if they do that again they could put Adam Lind in LF vs Lefties and play Gnomes at DH.
I think Seattle makes the most sense. With all the stats thrown around above about his splits and keeping in mind his marginal defense, he is a good fit as a right-handed DH option and 4th OF. That fits perfect for what the Mariners need. Plus, if you read Hal McCoy’s take on him at the Dayton Daily News, his rep as a great “clubhouse guy” adds to an already good mix of guys.
I think Seattle makes the most sense. With all the stats thrown around above about his splits and keeping in mind his marginal defense, he is a good fit as a right-handed DH option and 4th OF. That fits perfect for what the Mariners need. Plus, if you read Hal McCoy’s take on him at the Dayton Daily News, his rep as a great “clubhouse guy” adds to an already good mix of guys.
@vtadave
You’re on the right track. For as good as his overall numbers looked, Ethier has declined badly against lefties in the last three years, from .280 to .240 to .190. Imagine the offensive production the Dodgers could get from their RF if they platooned Ethier and Gomes.
I question, however, how much of a ripple effect that may have on the rest of the lineup, both offensively and defensively. Imagine how exhausted Matt Kemp would be having to chase down every ball that wasn’t going to land within ten feet of Manny or Gomes.
@vtadave
You’re on the right track. For as good as his overall numbers looked, Ethier has declined badly against lefties in the last three years, from .280 to .240 to .190. Imagine the offensive production the Dodgers could get from their RF if they platooned Ethier and Gomes.
I question, however, how much of a ripple effect that may have on the rest of the lineup, both offensively and defensively. Imagine how exhausted Matt Kemp would be having to chase down every ball that wasn’t going to land within ten feet of Manny or Gomes.