Headlines

  • Rays Owner Stuart Sternberg In “Advanced” Talks To Sell Team
  • Rafael Devers To Start Work At First Base With Giants
  • Giants Acquire Rafael Devers
  • Shohei Ohtani To Make Dodgers Pitching Debut On Monday
  • Roki Sasaki No Longer Throwing; No Timetable For Return
  • Nationals To Promote Brady House
  • Previous
  • Next
Register
Login
  • Hoops Rumors
  • Pro Football Rumors
  • Pro Hockey Rumors

MLB Trade Rumors

Remove Ads
  • Home
  • Teams
    • AL East
      • Baltimore Orioles
      • Boston Red Sox
      • New York Yankees
      • Tampa Bay Rays
      • Toronto Blue Jays
    • AL Central
      • Chicago White Sox
      • Cleveland Guardians
      • Detroit Tigers
      • Kansas City Royals
      • Minnesota Twins
    • AL West
      • Houston Astros
      • Los Angeles Angels
      • Oakland Athletics
      • Seattle Mariners
      • Texas Rangers
    • NL East
      • Atlanta Braves
      • Miami Marlins
      • New York Mets
      • Philadelphia Phillies
      • Washington Nationals
    • NL Central
      • Chicago Cubs
      • Cincinnati Reds
      • Milwaukee Brewers
      • Pittsburgh Pirates
      • St. Louis Cardinals
    • NL West
      • Arizona Diamondbacks
      • Colorado Rockies
      • Los Angeles Dodgers
      • San Diego Padres
      • San Francisco Giants
  • About
    • MLB Trade Rumors
    • Tim Dierkes
    • Writing team
    • Advertise
    • Archives
  • Contact
  • Tools
    • 2024-25 MLB Free Agent List
    • 2025-26 MLB Free Agent List
    • 2024-25 Top 50 MLB Free Agents With Predictions
    • Projected Arbitration Salaries For 2025
    • Free Agent Contest Leaderboard
    • Contract Tracker
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Agency Database
  • NBA/NFL/NHL
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors
  • App
  • Chats
Go To Pro Hockey Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

Jonny Gomes’ 2011 Option

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | September 8, 2010 at 11:25am CDT

Jonny Gomes has already set career highs in games (126), plate appearances (482), runs (63), hits (112), doubles (22) and RBI (77). Reds manager Dusty Baker has been calling on Gomes more than ever and the left fielder has seen his slash line dip, possibly because he's facing more right-handed pitching than usual. Gomes' .262/.328/.436 line is about average, but his power has dropped off this year, especially in the second half.

The Reds can retain him for $1.75MM in 2011 or buy him out for $200K. They don't have the option of turning the option down and trying to re-sign him more cheaply through arbitration; Cincinnati must release the 29-year-old if they turn his option down. The Reds could sign Gomes after releasing him, but all 30 teams would be able to make bids, too.

Despite Gomes' struggles against right-handed pitching and less-than-brilliant defense (he posted negative UZRs every year from 2005-10), the Reds will likely have some interest in retaining him for a net cost of $1.55MM. However, they non-tendered him last winter after a season in which he hit 20 homers and posted an .879 OPS, so history suggests they aren't afraid of letting Gomes hit the open market. What do you think the Reds will do? Click here to take the survey and here to view the results.

Share 0 Retweet 5 Send via email0

Cincinnati Reds Jonny Gomes

Red Sox Offer Martinez Two-Year Deal
Main
Geovany Soto: Extension Candidate
View Comments (23)
Post a Comment

23 Comments

  1. bbxxj

    15 years ago

    I would lean toward picking up the option. He still has value against lefties with a .285/.386/.474/.860 vsLHP and they can protect him against tougher righties that might give him problems with Laynce Nix who has OPSed over .800 vsRHP the last two years (445 total PA) who plays much better defense.

    I’m not sure why Dusty doesn’t play Nix more in place of Gomes against righties this year even when Nix plays better defense.

    Another option would be to let Gomes go and just play the better defense and upside of Chris Heisey next year in LF.

    Reply
    • Brandon Jackson

      15 years ago

      Agreed but also look at the fact that Harang is coming off the books this year, with possibly Arroyo as well (although I’d like the Reds to retain him if possible).

      I love Gomes but if we can take some extra money and look into someone like Carl Crawford (not going to happen but used as an example) then I’d be ok with that. Heisey has proven so far that he deserves a much harder look in the big leagues too though.

      Reply
  2. Martin

    15 years ago

    Gomes is underrated. He makes for a good cheap platoon player. Pick up the option because other teams will sign him to a guaranteed deal.

    Reply
  3. Jonny Dollar

    15 years ago

    Depending on how far the Reds make it in the playoffs, they may have some extra cash to spend. Too early to speculate.

    Reply
  4. mattdgroves

    15 years ago

    Trade him for Rasmus 🙂

    Reply
    • Jay

      15 years ago

      I sure would not mind that Reds Killer on the Team next year.

      Reply
  5. RedbirdRuffian

    15 years ago

    Easy call, pick up the option at that price. He’s a productive player and the Reds don’t have a better option waiting in the wings. They are still waiting on the development of Bruce and Stubbs. That’s the problem with young potentially talented players, it takes a lot of patience to see who will pan out and who will fail. and he the only way to find out is to put them on the field.

    Reply
  6. gmblngptchr20

    15 years ago

    Bye bye Mr. Gomes.

    Balentine, and Heisey are better options if not for anything more than their defense. Gomes had 6 incredible weeks, a couple ok months, a terrible August, and he is showing some life here in September. I don’t think he is an everyday player.

    I do like the hustle, but he just is not that good at defense, and that is what this team is based off of. If we’re talking pure hitting than I would almost rather see Alonso or Frazier in there, and not as a platoon

    Reply
  7. Steve_in_MA

    15 years ago

    Certainly, Dusty Baker feels good about putting Gomes out there, and that is a huge factor in the plan for next year. Empirically, I would note that Gomes power has not dropped off dramatically. He’s on pace to hit about 18 HRs this season, just 2 shy of his number from last year. But the real gauge I like to use is the most important statistic in evaluating offensive impact, and nobody seems to care about. I call it NRG – net runs generated. Its Runs (R) + Runs Batted In (RBI) – Homers (HR) = NRG. Premiere impact players generate 150 net runs per season or more. Gomes has 124 NRG right now and is on pace to reach about 145. He’s just under the premiere impact level. I think he’s accurately priced in the option, based on this criterion. Fangraphs disagrees, based on WAR, but there aren’t many “replacement” level players who will generate 145 net runs per season for you (roughly 1 run per game appearance). I say exercise the option.

    Reply
    • camisadelgolf

      15 years ago

      If Gomes can consistently put up numbers like that, he should stay, but I don’t think it’s realistic to expect his BA w/ RISP to be sustainable. I won’t deny that he’s had a great year at the plate, but he’s due for a big drop-off any day now, and I hope he isn’t with the Reds when that day comes.

      Reply
      • johnsilver

        15 years ago

        Gomes has been respectable, but really, his OBP is still hovering a tad over .320, he still strikes out once every 3.5 AB and he still is an awful corner outfielder. Is it worth 1.75M? remember clearly his old Rays days when the guy would go on a tear and he would hit 2-3 HR in 10-15 AB’s then strike out 15 times in the next 20.

        There was another reason beside monetary that Tampa let this guy walk.

        Reply
    • bill

      15 years ago

      there is a reason not many people use that metric. 😉

      not many replacement players are given the opportunity to hit 5th night after night and your stat quite heartily benefits players that are surrounded by good bats. other than the month of may, gomes’ highest monthly ops is .703. his defense this year is in the bottom 1% of all qualified players no matter which metric you use. this guy is a nightmare, and, although it may be nice to pick up his contract for use as a platoon player, toothpick baker will run him out there in 4th or 5th simply because he plays lf. if my options are gomes batting 5th everyday or no gomes, i would choose no gomes.

      Reply
      • Jay

        15 years ago

        Something your forgetting is Gomes numbers with runners in scoring position and his 2 out numbers that have helped the Reds a lot this season.

        Still strikes out too often though for my blood. If the Reds can actually find someone decent either platoon Nyx and Heisey or something like that or go get an everyday guy free agent.

        Reply
        • bill

          15 years ago

          jay, in a sport where you are in the top 1% of the league if you get a hit 1 out of 3 at bats, risp stats are extremely susceptible to small sample size error. gomes’ career ba/risp is pretty similar to his career average, i wonder why? so i wouldn’t say that i am forgetting so much as intentionally disregarding it; it is more noise than data – insignificant statistically.

          but, if we are tossing out small sample size stats, gomes had the same amount of rbi as reds pitchers from july 20-august 24. 4 rbi in over a month from a number 5 hitter.

          so we have awful defense, a huge month of may (inflated by a massive babip) buoying his season stats, and baker’s refusal to move him down in the order because baker is an rbi slut. (btw, the reds are 23rd in the league in ops from #5 hitters)

          Reply
          • Jay

            15 years ago

            These are some good points. Thank you for taking the time to let me know of this. Gomes is someone I like on the Reds but I also think there are some free agents that will for sure cost more but I am sure we could possibly find a LF that would give us better production on both the offense and defense.

            The hard part for the Reds is getting that good outfielder to come to Cincy.

            Reply
  8. camisadelgolf

    15 years ago

    Jonny Gomes’ defense is atrocious, and he can’t hit RHP. Is he a viable option against LHP? Absolutely. But the unfortunate thing is that Dusty will give him playing time against RHP as a show of veteran respect despite the Reds having better options internally. Gomes’ option is simply too costly to justify picking it up. The Reds weren’t afraid to non-tender him last year, and hopefully they’re not afraid to refuse him a contract immediately following the season once again. I love the guy for his intangibles, but the Reds are simply better off without him.

    Reply
    • Jay

      15 years ago

      Ok by baseball standards his contract is cheap for a guy that hits near 20 homers and bats over .260 in a season

      Reply
  9. nathanalext

    15 years ago

    Theres just something about him that I love.. His hustle. Sure he’s not the greatest player in the league, but for one more year at 1.75, why not? I’m sure he’ll get at least that on the open market. He’s been a steal for us this year, lets pay him next year.

    Reply
  10. Slopeboy

    15 years ago

    The money grubbing Reds would be foolish to let Gomes walk. While he’s not a great player by any means, it will cost more to get a player of his caliber on the open market.

    Reply
  11. GregD

    15 years ago

    Personally, I like Gomes, and I think he is a good RH bench/4th outfielder type player. I don’t think the Reds could go wrong next year, keeping him at that low of a rate or buying out his option. They’ve gone with the Gomes/Nix combo as their 3rd/4th or 4th/5th outfielders the past two years, and I think they’ve produced fairly well.

    However, I wonder about a slightly less expensive, younger option in Chris Heisey and Dan Dorn. Heisey and Dorn would fill the Gomes/Nix roles in different way. Heisey (RH) can play & backup all three OF positions well like LH Nix, while Dorn (LH) is better known for his offense like RH Gomes.

    The Dorn/Heisey combination has the upside of better OBP, and possibly better overall production. Plus, unlike Gomes, Dorn could also backup RF and 1B. I’d rather see Dorn playing 1B when Votto needs a day off than a utility infielder like Cairo.

    Reply
    • Jay

      15 years ago

      If Dorn is ready is the problem with this though. I don’t think he has any major league time or if he does its a really small sample. Cairo has been a lifesaver for this team this year when players were down with minor injuries. Personally hoping we have him again next year to play the same role.

      Reply
      • GregD

        15 years ago

        Dorn has no major league time, but has been in AAA the past two seasons. He’s a .293avg/.894ops career hitter in the minors and hit .302/.944 this year. He really should be up with the club now, given that they are playing with just 3 healthy OFers and Heisey has been REALLY struggling of late.

        Cairo has been a solid bench option this year, but he hasn’t had a year like this offensively since 2004. I’d put odds on him repeating this performance at less than 50/50. And even if he is brought back, I’d rather have a better backup plan at 1B.

        Reply
        • Jay

          15 years ago

          Well as long as they have Alonso , which hopefully won’t be too long after the season, Unless they are putting him in the outfield, which worries me cause his success there has not been to great, the Reds would have him to back up Votto. Wish Alonso could play 3rd to back up both Rolen and Votto and an occasional OF appearance. Cairo might continue to do well in the role he played this season next year so Im not really willing to write him off. Especially if Baker stays he loves his Vets.

          Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Please login to leave a reply.

Log in Register

    Top Stories

    Rays Owner Stuart Sternberg In “Advanced” Talks To Sell Team

    Rafael Devers To Start Work At First Base With Giants

    Giants Acquire Rafael Devers

    Shohei Ohtani To Make Dodgers Pitching Debut On Monday

    Roki Sasaki No Longer Throwing; No Timetable For Return

    Nationals To Promote Brady House

    White Sox, Brewers Swap Aaron Civale, Andrew Vaughn

    Justin Martínez To Undergo Tommy John Surgery

    Brewers’ Aaron Civale Requests Trade

    Angels To Promote Christian Moore

    Brewers Promote Jacob Misiorowski

    Red Sox Acquire Jorge Alcala

    Jackson Jobe To Undergo Tommy John Surgery

    Shane McClanahan Pauses Rehab, Seeking Further Opinions On Nerve Issue

    Royals Place Cole Ragans On IL With Rotator Cuff Strain

    Red Sox Promote Roman Anthony

    Craig Kimbrel Elects Free Agency

    Marlins Place Ryan Weathers On 60-Day IL With Lat Strain

    White Sox To Promote Grant Taylor

    Mariners Designate Leody Taveras For Assignment, Outright Casey Lawrence

    Recent

    Nats GM On Martinez, Losing Streak, Ruiz, Cavalli

    Richard Lovelady Opts Out Of Twins Deal

    Dodgers Reinstate Emmet Sheehan

    Poll: Who’s The Best Pure Hitter In This Winter’s Free Agent Class?

    Rays Owner Stuart Sternberg In “Advanced” Talks To Sell Team

    MLB Mailbag: Devers, Red Sox, Braves, Alonso, Helsley

    Yankees Reinstate JT Brubaker

    Latest On Rich Hill, Royals

    MLBTR Podcast: Reacting To The Devers Trade And Aaron Civale

    Phillies Acquire Nolan Hoffman From Rangers

    MLBTR Newsletter - Hot stove highlights in your inbox, five days a week

    Latest Rumors & News

    Latest Rumors & News

    • 2024-25 Top 50 MLB Free Agents With Predictions
    • Nolan Arenado Rumors
    • Dylan Cease Rumors
    • Luis Robert Rumors
    • Marcus Stroman Rumors

     

    Trade Rumors App for iOS and Android

    MLBTR Features

    MLBTR Features

    • Remove Ads, Support Our Writers
    • Front Office Originals
    • Front Office Fantasy Baseball
    • MLBTR Podcast
    • 2024-25 Offseason Outlook Series
    • 2025 Arbitration Projections
    • 2024-25 MLB Free Agent List
    • 2025-26 MLB Free Agent List
    • Contract Tracker
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Extension Tracker
    • Agency Database
    • MLBTR On Twitter
    • MLBTR On Facebook
    • Team Facebook Pages
    • How To Set Up Notifications For Breaking News
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors

    Rumors By Team

    • Angels Rumors
    • Astros Rumors
    • Athletics Rumors
    • Blue Jays Rumors
    • Braves Rumors
    • Brewers Rumors
    • Cardinals Rumors
    • Cubs Rumors
    • Diamondbacks Rumors
    • Dodgers Rumors
    • Giants Rumors
    • Guardians Rumors
    • Mariners Rumors
    • Marlins Rumors
    • Mets Rumors
    • Nationals Rumors
    • Orioles Rumors
    • Padres Rumors
    • Phillies Rumors
    • Pirates Rumors
    • Rangers Rumors
    • Rays Rumors
    • Red Sox Rumors
    • Reds Rumors
    • Rockies Rumors
    • Royals Rumors
    • Tigers Rumors
    • Twins Rumors
    • White Sox Rumors
    • Yankees Rumors

    Navigation

    • Sitemap
    • Archives
    • RSS/Twitter Feeds By Team

    MLBTR INFO

    • Advertise
    • About
    • Commenting Policy
    • Privacy Policy

    Connect

    • Contact Us
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • RSS Feed

    MLB Trade Rumors is not affiliated with Major League Baseball, MLB or MLB.com

    hide arrows scroll to top

    Register

    Desktop Version | Switch To Mobile Version