Veteran outfielder Jonny Gomes has wrapped up his stint with Japan’s Rakuten Golden Eagles by “mutual consent,” Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports. He is interested in opportunities with major league organizations, though Gomes acknowledges that he’s not really in position to sign onto a MLB roster.
“Yeah, I want to play,” he told Rosenthal. “I want to play when I’m 50 but I understand where I am and where the game is right now.”
Gomes did suggest that he can “bring way more to a team” than on-field performance, and there is little doubt that his celebrated clubhouse presence would help draw interest. But the 35-year-old struggled with Rakuten, putting up a .169/.280/.246 slash with 22 strikeouts in 75 plate appearances.
Of course, Gomes only ended up pursuing an opportunity abroad after battling through a pair of rough campaigns. Over 2014-15, he posted a collective .225/.321/.337 batting line in 583 trips to the plate with the Red Sox, Athletics, Braves, and Royals.
Though he did still hit lefties at an above-average clip, Gomes checked in below replacement level in both years. He’s never been a great fielder, and also took a step back on the bases in 2015.
At his best, Gomes is a lefty-mashing fourth outfielder who can hold his own against right-handed pitching. He’s also provided surprising value on the bases (albeit not in the stolen base department) while receiving plaudits for his influence as a teammate.
Cubs need a water boy
Will inevitably sign with Atlanta.
Nope – we can’t fill a roster spot with this guy. He needs to consider coaching if he “brings way more to a team” than on-the-field performance.
Probably true sir, but even Bourn and Swish are getting picked up on minor league deals. His WS leadership will get him a short minor deal with hope.
Seriously? If he has that line in Japan after not signing in the US, he expects to sign with someone now?!! Maybe he’s been working out at SS and the Angels can sign him to platoon with Brendan Ryan!
From his quote, it doesn’t sound like he expects teams to have interest. He was probably asked if he’d like to return and that was his answer. It doesn’t appear he’s coming back planning on inking a deal.
He blames his struggles on the language difference, which makes a little sense considering how vocal he is.
“You got to know when to hold, know when to fold, know when to walk away, know when to run…….”
It’s over Gomes. Go find Dan Uggla, you guys are welcome to join my slowpitch team.
Besides this isn’t poker. If a team is willing to give him a shot to play the game he loves, why not? There’s no downside, at all.
Players have been far more washed up than Gomes and come back to provide some value somewhere.
They’d mash for a slowpitch team!! hey, my team needs a second baseman
I know right? Both guys could definitely play conference softball if they wanted to keep playing. I play about 15 minutes away from where Uggla lives in Atlanta, fingers crossed đ
White Sox?
The Sox can manage without him. Garcia has been mashing the last week or so, and I personally think they’ll end up getting Bruce if they’re still in it come July. Won’t have enough to get Cargo. What they have they won’t give for him.
He has the mentality and mindset to be a PH/4th OF off the bench. Problem is, Atlanta has that in Francoeur. I could see maybe a dozen other teams, though, that could use him. 10 years ago, every team could have used him, and I think that’s what he’s alluding to, that baseball has changed. Joe Maddon, like him or not, has redefined the game, and made multiple position guys vogue, where 1-dimensional guys-Pat Burrell comes to mind-are now AAA depth guys because they can only do 1 thing, or play 1 position. I think that’s similar to “speed guys” when they lose their legs. We saw it with Bourn, Vince Coleman back in the day, and even now with Carlos Gomez. That’s why you see guys like Mark Trumbo actually working to at least make himself a passable OF/1B, because he can keep a roster spot. A guy like Pedro Alvarez, who can no longer play 3B/1B, has almost no value anymore in modern baseball imo. Why are baseball guys now clamoring for the DH in the NL? It creates 15 more jobs for those fringe players that can no longer play the field. For better or worse, the game is evolving at this time. I know I ranted, I apologize. I’m an old man, I can do that. LOL
The game is devolving the ball isn’t put in play enough and the 2B position is being turned into shallow RF. These guys should put more time learning to hit the ball to the opposite field than learning a new position to be sub par at.
… interesting comment about second base – true.
I don’t think shifts should be outlawed, but I do think the rules should state that infielders need to stay within the infield during shifts. Turns my stomach to see a player sting a ball and the 2nd baseman is in shallow RF to gobble it up and throw him out.
Totally agree on not enough balls put in play. Watching Colin Walsh ” walk his way” onto the Brewers is a bad sign for baseball. Not to mention, copious amounts of strikeouts are looked at as part of the game. Smh. I miss seeing guys like Carew, Gwynn and Boggs spray the ball all over the field. Today’s game is often all or nothing and, in my opinion, hurting the product long term.
Gomes is obnoxious. I bet his ‘personality’ didn’t play in Japan.
Your personality plays a lot better when you’re a good ballplayer, something Gomes hasn’t been in a long time.
Lmao wants a shot at MLB again and hits under the mendoza line in Japan..theres plenty of AAA players better than this guy hes old
35 is hardly old, look at Papi. Gomes just can’t really do anything other than hit lefties. Doesn’t warrant a roster spot in my opinion, but he’ll likely get a shot somewhere.