Will/Should the Reds Keep Gomes?

[Kc61]

Deadline coming up to offer arbitration to Gomes. He's on the roster, but he can become a free agent if the Reds don't sign him or offer him arbitration.

He hit 20 homers in limited playing time last year, and was one of the few experienced pro hitters on the team.

He played better defense than I expected, but still is an offensive type player. Could be viewed as a platoon. Reputedly a great clubhouse guy.

Issue for me is whether Reds can more cheaply fill left field with in-house guys like Dickerson, Francisco, Heisey, Balentien. Reds might then have a few bucks open up for other positions.

On the other hand, there's no denying that Gomes played well last year and helps the offense.

Tough decision because there are other left field options. If they have the money, they should keep Gomes even if he winds up as a backup. But somehow I think they don't plan to keep him.

Any views on this?

[redsmetz]

I think they keep him. I think so far, we've had the annual kabuki dance between a club and an agent. I think they can get a reasonable deal done before arbitration. I suspect his agent is doing some posturing to see if he can get a higher number or have them non-tender him. That's purely speculation on my part, but I think they can get a deal done.

[RedsManRick]

I think they offer him arbitration, but I don't think he opens 2010 as a Red.

[Bumstead]

I imagine they will keep him...Seems going with Bruce, Stubbs, Dickerson, Heisey and Balentien would make more sense and be just as good offensively and better defensively...but I think the Reds will be too scared of the fan's backlash to take that chance.

[Kc61]

I think they offer him arbitration, but I don't think he opens 2010 as a Red.

Possible. But I have doubts they will go forward that way.

If Reds don't want him, I doubt they commit to arbitration with him. May not be easy to trade him once they have agreed to arbitrate with him.

[Raisor]

I'll be surprised if they offer him arbitration.

[Will M]

I think the Reds SHOULD keep him.

I predict he will be nontendered.

[Ron Madden]

If they can sign him for anywhere between 1 and 1.5 mil.

[OnBaseMachine]

I would absolutely offer him arbitration.

[Raisor]

I would absolutely offer him arbitration.

if the payroll is as tight as been speculated, I don't know how they could.

[Kc61]

if the payroll is as tight as been speculated, I don't know how they could.

I agree with this. IMO they will either sign him by tomorrow night or let him go. The least likely scenario is arbitration.

[RedsManRick]

Possible. But I have doubts they will go forward that way.

If Reds don't want him, I doubt they commit to arbitration with him. May not be easy to trade him once they have agreed to arbitrate with him.

It will be harder to so if they non-tender him....

I don't think they want to send the fans the message that money is so tight that they can't keep a guy who was one of last year's best hitters when he'd only be making a few million bucks. If there's one thing this front office cares about, it's keeping up appearances.

[TheNext44]

I think that the wise move in this situation is to offer him arbtration. If the te doesn't think they can afford him, they can always trade his contract, like the Braves did with Soriano.
It's not like Weathers where there was no market for him. SOme team will want him for market rate.

[Kc61]

It will be harder to so if they non-tender him....
.

If they non-tender him they can't trade him, he's a free agent. Like Taveras last year. He can sign with anyone.

The only way to trade Gomes is to offer arbitration or sign him.

I just don't think he is easily traded if offered arbitration. Teams would rather not risk arbitration when acquiring a player. There are exceptions, like Soriano, I just don't think Gomes is one.

If Reds sign Gomes relatively cheaply, then a trade is possible.

[nate]

I think they offer arbitration and he turns it down.