What's the latest with Gomes?

[Blitz Dorsey]

I heard he was on the verge of signing a minor-league deal with the Reds, but haven't heard anything since? Was that finalized? Is it still expected to happen? Especially with Taveras no longer around, there is a real good chance Gomes would make the team and would platoon in LF. With Taveras gone, Dickerson can play more CF (when Stubbs needs a day off or if Stubbs is struggling) and that would leave Gomes, Nix and Balentien battling it out for LF. Dickerson will still play some LF too (he and Stubbs in the lineup together).

Anyway, I'm hoping Gomes is signed. Then the offseason will feel complete.

[Homer Bailey]

redlegnation RT @m_sheldon #reds still trying to sign Gomes, Jocketty said. It kind of got pushed back while he was doing other moves, on caravan, etc.

http://twitter.com/m_sheldon

[OnBaseMachine]

From C. Trent:

#Reds GM Walt Jocketty said they're still talking to Gomes, seemed optimistic about a return

http://twitter.com/ctrent

[The_jbh]

I feel bad the guy has to accept a minor league contract after hitting 20 hrs last yr

[bucksfan2]

I feel bad the guy has to accept a minor league contract after hitting 20 hrs last yr

If I were Gomes I would be looking for a new agent.

[TRF]

If I were Gomes I would be looking for a new agent.

Why? because no one is beating down his door looking for a slow, iron glove, DH/1B playing waaaaay out of position, with a history on injuries coming off a career year?

[GADawg]

Why? because no one is beating down his door looking for a slow, iron glove, DH/1B playing waaaaay out of position, with a history on injuries coming off a career year?

tell us how you really feel....just don't get the constant bellyaching over LF defense. I guess if you simply don't like the guy then that's where you attack him but honestly he wasn't the worst leftfielder "we've" had lately and it's not like the guy was demanding 9 million.

[RedLegSuperStar]

tell us how you really feel....just don't get the constant bellyaching over LF defense. I guess if you simply don't like the guy then that's where you attack him but honestly he wasn't the worst leftfielder "we've" had lately and it's not like the guy was demanding 9 million.

Or 10-15 million

[bucksfan2]

Why? because no one is beating down his door looking for a slow, iron glove, DH/1B playing waaaaay out of position, with a history on injuries coming off a career year?

Because all the articles written about Gomes during the arbitration period was how his agents were working on their more high profile clients. IMO for the right price Gomes could have been signed pre arbitration but his agents had a different focus. Now Gomes is approaching free agency without a contract and is looking like a minor league contract is his only option. Its pretty sad when you take into consideration that he hit 20 hr's and had an OPS+ of 127 in roughly 100 games.

[TRF]

Because all the articles written about Gomes during the arbitration period was how his agents were working on their more high profile clients. IMO for the right price Gomes could have been signed pre arbitration but his agents had a different focus. Now Gomes is approaching free agency without a contract and is looking like a minor league contract is his only option. Its pretty sad when you take into consideration that he hit 20 hr's and had an OPS+ of 127 in roughly 100 games.

Russell Branyan is still looking for work.

Thome was until very recently.

In fact a lot of guys are looking for work. Welcome to the new baseball economy. Here is the thing. I doubt he would have been signed by anyone early, high profile clients or not. If GM's really thought he was a safe bet to produce at that level over 500+ AB's, he'd have been snapped up to his best contract ever, and still would have been cheap for most teams. He's the kind of player MLB has in excess. And he's almost never healthy.

I think Gomes does have a lot of talent, buuuuuut. he doesn't BB much, 177 in over 500 games played, but he does have some pop. He doesn't play a key position, from all accounts can't play 1B either. And he's kind of brittle. I enjoyed most of the games he played as a Red. I thought he should have gone north with the team out of ST. But there was a reason he isn't even a type B FA. He's going to struggle to OBP .330.

He's a platoon LF. Why clamor for that?

[Chip R]

If I were Gomes I would be looking for a new agent.

No kidding. From reading all the comments right around the deadline to re-sign him around X-mas, it seemed like his agent(s) gave him short shrift.

[RedLegSuperStar]

I think once teams relized the Reds were offering a minor league deal and he was on the verge of signing it other teams anteed up. I would love to get Jonny back but how much is the limit to offer him.

[edabbs44]

He needs to be on this team. At worst, he is a LHP neutralizer.

[MikeS21]

I wouldn't be surprised if the Reds back away from Gomes now. It's a shame, but I wonder if the FO is thinking the roster is set. They can keep Janish and Sutton as the back-up IF, and now they can use Miles as an IF/OF.

[Will M]

I wouldn't be surprised if the Reds back away from Gomes now. It's a shame, but I wonder if the FO is thinking the roster is set. They can keep Janish and Sutton as the back-up IF, and now they can use Miles as an IF/OF.

please no. Miles only belongs in the OF in some emergency due to injury. if he gets 1 AB in LF as a starter it would be 1 AB too much.

Bench:
Hanigan
Janish for late inning defense
Miles or Sutton or Frazier (long shot)
Dickerson
Nix or Balentien (assuming we sign Gomes)