For Reds gamble on Gomes pays off

Add Jonny Gomes to the list of guyCincinnati Reds v Boston Red Soxs who had successful 2009 campaigns who had to settle for minor league contracts. Gomes was non tendered by the Reds earlier this winter. While the team maintained interest in the outfielder all along they were not willing to risk paying him a premium price following a season in which he hit .267/.338/.541 with 20 home runs and 51 RBI in 281 at-bats.

With all the talk about Johnny Damon and the Matt Hollidays of the world it’s surprising that no one was willing to take a chance on Gomes who has proven to be quite an asset against left handed pitching in 

recent years.

Signing with the Reds gives Gomes an excellent chance at playing time as he’ll probably get the bulk of the at-bats in left field and will be written in pen against left handed hurlers.

Chris Dickerson likely will take over the position a few times a week against right handers and there’s always the chance that if Wladimir Balentien can figure out a way to make more contact that he could eventually steal playing time from both.

But this is about Jonny Gomes and he’s in a great position to repeat the numbers he put up last season.

John Boarman
John Boarmanhttp://www.tireball.com
Founder and Owner of Tireball Sports.

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