Gomes a Red

Former Rays OF Jonny Gomes, a fan and team favorite, is headed to Cincinnati.

Gomes agreed Monday to a minor-league contract with the Reds that will pay him a $600,000 salary, with the chance for another $200,000 in incentives, if he makes the big-league team. More important for Gomes will be the chance to get regular playing time as the Reds head into camp with an opening for a leftfielder and short on outfield bats.

"I had other deals for more money but this is the best fit,'' Gomes said. "I'm really stoked.''

The Rays declined to tender a contract to Gomes, who made $1.275-million last season but hit only .182 with 8 homers and 21 RBIs in limited opportunities over 77 games.

Comments

[Kennedy]

Jonny is missing his true calling...he should be on the undercard of the Jose Canseco v Danny Bonaduce fight.

[skp]

great, now that he's throwing away at-bats for another team i can root for him and not be bitter everytime he comes up to the plate....given their penchant for slow unathletic outfielders i was sorta hoping he'd catch on with the yankees....he could really help the rays out if he wore pinstripes

[shuturyap]

Jonny may have had better luck if he kept more time in the batting cage than in a bar rage. The beer bottle was the only thing Gomes dominated the last 2 years.

[McLovin]

Jonny's going to be a monster this year, just watch.

What the heck are we going to do without that brawlfense?

Couldn't we have signed him to just hang out at the Trop? He doesn't have to play, just chill out. You need security from all the douchebag Red Sox fans in the stands? Jonny Gomes will come around to blow up their faces with his fists. lol

It's just not going to be the same this year for me. I'm sorry, but I don't care if he strikes out 200 times in a year, he's still cool with me.

[SC-Carl]

Revenge, I am busted! I will be married to her in Vegas on Feb 2 so technically as of right now, I don't have a wife. Just couldn't wait to put the label on her.

[Harold]

9equals8
I too am wondering about these one year deals. Specifically the one the Rays are rolling out. Short sighted? Stop Gap? or hoping for more income next year to sign players to longer deals.
Whats your thoughts?

[9equals8.com]

Good luck, Johnny. We liked you here and would have loved you if you could have hit .100 higher. All these one year deals, who knows. Maybe he and Rocco will be back next year....

[RevengeOfGomes]

And no one believes you have a wife, SC-Carl.

[RevengeOfGomes]

I will terrorize Rays fans forever, and I'll do it with a large dose of sexy. Love, Gomesy

[SC-Carl]

I am not sure why he hasn't learned to hit the breaking ball or to the opposite field but look out when he does. He has a passion for the game and this carries a long way. I think his arm will be fine and the NL is more of a fastball league. Glad he landed on his feet. My wife and I have been fans of his since he came up.

[Caleb]

He'll fit right in as a Big Red Machine, teehee.

[brianj]

I love the guy; good luck Jonny!

[TriplePlay]

All Gomes has to do is take a curve ball to right field and he'll put up 30-40 dingers in Cincy. You obviously never watched this guy up from minors? He actually had a pretty decent arm until mashed his shoulder in a spring training game.

I miss him already and hope he does well.

[Kurt]

Jonny Gomes may be a cool guy and all, but his skills are more suited to beer league softball than major league baseball. Glad he won't be wasting a roster spot on the Rays any longer (or taking up valuable playing time better given to true prospects)