After recently disclosing that the club will exercise their option on pitcher Bronson Arroyo, GM Walt Jocketty says that he "probably will" pick up Jonny Gomes' option for the 2011 season, writes John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer. The outfielder's option is worth $1.75MM and costs $200K as he (easily) exceeded 350 plate appearances.
If the Reds have a change of heart and do not exercise Gomes' option, they are obligated to release him. The soon-to-be 30-year-old hit .266/.327/.431 with 18 homers in 571 plate appearances.
In addition to the aforementioned Gomes and Arroyo, the Reds also hold options on two other players. Shortstop Orlando Cabrera has a $4MM option for 2011 but we learned earlier this week that the Reds will likely decline it. They also hold a $12.5MM option on Aaron Harang but they certainly won't pick it up.
Gomes didn’t really have a good or bad season, kind of just average…So the Reds don’t really have to expect him to play much worse than he did this season. But he can hit for power and has a tremendous club house vibe, not to mention his cheap price, and even though I wanted the Reds to have more speed in LF with Dave Sappelt for example who is very Major Legue Ready, this is the right move…Good move.
He’ll be paid under $2 million and will probably provide seemingly better production when partnered with the another decent player in a platoon (Edmonds maybe if that Achilles is ok and he doesn’t retire). They have the possibility of a fairly cheap and flexible outfield if everyone stays healthy.
It’s not a lot of money, and it’s just the one year. So I pick up the option. He’s also a player that could be traded if they have a chance to acquire someone better.
No to Cabrera, no to Harang, and they already picked up Arroyo. I think that’s a great move, even if he’s an overpay. A guy like him means a lot to staff full of young pitchers still making their way. He too can be a trade chip if all the other pitchers happen to work out-though, they probably won’t. There’s always someone with adjustment problems, and broken pitchers to cover for.
I’m not sure I would call $11 million overpaying for Arroyo in the current market. Look around the league and you can see a lot less in results at that price as higher. Arroyo finished at 17-10 with 3.88 ERA and 121 Ks.
Cardinals: Jake Westbrook finished the season at 10-11 with a 4.22 ERA. Price tag- $12.75 million
Cubs: Ryan Dempster went 15-12 with 3.82 ERA for $13.5 million. Carlos Zambrano finished 11-6 with 3.33 ERA and collected $18.875 million.
Braves: Derek Lowe went 16-12 with a 4.00 ERA at $15 million.
Mets: Johan Santana finished 11-9 at over $20 million.
Dodgers: Hiroki Kuroda at 11-13 and 3.39 ERA at over $15 million. Ted Lilly went 10-12 and 3.62 ERA for an even $13 million.
Plus look at guys like Brandon Webb, Jake Peavy, Ben Sheets, Erik Bedard, Brad Penny, etc. who were hurt and couldn’t even get out on the field for a significant part (if not all) of the season. 5 years without missing a start should play into it as well.
quite note Arroyo’s option has not officially been picked up yet. They just said they plan on doing it.
It would be hard to replace that production on the FA market.
Yep. His production at that price should make his option a no-brainer.
Figuring in Arroyo’s production as well as his durability make 11M a bargain. With Harang, Hernandez and Mike Lincoln’s contracts gone that frees up 18M with buyouts paid to Harang and Cabrera that still leavs 15M and after Arroyos option kicks in that still leaves. So they are looking at about even money on payroll next year. Idk what the plans are but they do have a little bit of flexibility with being able to bring in a guy or 2.
I like the moves so far. Arroyo was a good decision. At 17 wins and 3.88 ERA his price is a lot lower ($11 million) than guys who produce far less. He hasn’t missed a single start since the Reds got him from Boston in 2006 and he pitched more innings in the National League than any other pitcher during that time frame as well. Gotta like getting that kind of durability and consistency from your starter.
Gomes is a guy that plays all out all the time. He’s a great guy to have in the clubhouse. He reminds me of Ryan Freel, just smarter and more durable. I agree that his production was average, which is what you’re going to see at that price tag. Maybe the platoon situation with Chris Heisey will work out in 2011.
I like the stance with Cabrera. Don’t pick up the option, but see if they can get him at a lower price. If they can, then good to keep him to play along with Paul Janish. If not, they aren’t missing out on too much. He’s getting older, didn’t produce well this year, and he has proven that he gets more fragile with age. Janish is much better defensively and actually put up better offensive numbers this season, too.
And Harang was obvious. He was overpaid to begin with and it only got worse this season. His last start as a Red pretty much fit his 2010 season.
I agree that Harang should be allowed to leave. I do want to tip my cap to him for pitching reasonably well through some of the Reds lean years. For a few seasons, he looked almost like an ace, and he and Arroyo were the only guys who knew how to pitch at all on the starting staff.I hope he gets a chance to rebuild his career in a nice big park where there’s nice weather. He might be a guy that San Diego wants to take a chance on.
Off topic but hell of a game at AT&T Park. I think the phillies are definetly not done with Doc pithing on Friday.
Sorry but Gomes had a pretty mediocre year. Remove May and he was below replacement value for the season. He was a MVP level bat in May, and nothing any other month, which was closer to his career norms. he was better in 08. I would have declined the option and looked at under appreciated players to fill the role. Like say Ryan Spillbourghs.
Spilborghs costs $1.95 Million next year, (not really a hefty difference), but would also cost a decent prospect or possibly two depending on how much the Rockies want to keep him. They’re almost the same player but Gomes hits for better power, or at least has shown he can hit for better power. So since the Reds have the option to keep a very similar player who’s a year younger and has a better power potential, I think I’d do that, instead of getting someone very much the same player, but minus that power. Gomes will look better in a platoon.
Spilborghs was just a example that I was throwing out there of a player that was likely under appreciated by their current team, I didn’t check out his contract details or anything of that nature. If I’m the Reds I’d look for someone that could platoon with Gomes at worst. Gomes can hit lefties but has issues against right handers. In a straight platoon with the occasional start here and there against a right hander I think he’d be a much better player. Such as he was in 09. If they run him out there as a starter he’ll get decent counting stats but will really be a poor option over all.
In a dream world the Reds do whatever it takes to pry Matt Kemp away from the Dodgers and make him the LF with Gomes being a bench power bat occasional starter.
Not saying that Gomes is a good sign at all for almost 2M. Billy Hall could have probably been gotten for about that figure if they wanted a strikeout machine with an awful OBP, give a little power and plays 7 positions and just and all at least as good on the defensive side as Gomes does his poor corner OF spots.
Wondering what the Cincy FO is thinking with this move.
I love how many posters don’t read the front article completely or they ignore what it says. Gomes is not a done deal, and the reds Said they probably would resign him. Same with Arroyo, he has not gotten his contract picked up yet, even though the Reds intend to. Nothing is official people.
Good deal then if they reconsider. One would have to look at this guys track record, the numbers other than the HR’s he puts up and the pathetic defense he gives in the corner OF he gives.
Have watched his career in TB over the years and honesty, even Cincy fans.. Would you really want him back for 2M for what he gives???
I’d gladly have him back at 2 million. His defense isn’t near as bad as Dunn’s and we had him out there for what, 7 years, I think? What he provides in the clubhouse and his power alone is worth 2 million, in my opinion. Theres just something about him.
That being said, I would rather start Heisey out there everyday, so, should they decide not to pick up the option, I’d be alright with it as well.