Tag Archives: Oakland Athletics

Red Sox Could Sign Outfielder Jonny Gomes Soon

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Shipping Up to Boston: The Boston Red Sox continue to stay busy this off-season as recent reports indicate the Sox and free agent outfielder Jonny Gomes are close to finalizing a two year contract. Financial terms have not yet been disclosed.

Gomes would certainly offer depth to the outfield and is regarded as a leader throughout the MLB, both on the field and in the clubhouse. Gomes would also provide needed experience back in the warning track as he’s a 10 year veteran. He played well for the Oakland Athletics last season batting .262 with 18HR and 47RBI. Gomes is a career .244 hitter with 136 HR, and 411 RBI.

Fun Fact: Jonny Gomes has similar career numbers against lefties to that of 2012 Red Sox outfielder/ current free agent Cody Ross.

Gomes against left handed pitchers: .284AVG, .382 OBP, and .512OPS

Ross against left handed pitchers: 284, 353OBP, 575OPS

If nothing else signing Gomes for cheap (much like the Sox did with cather David Ross) will provide needed flexibility to the outfield for little cost. Also to be noted, the BoSox are still working to try and resign Ross. If the Sox could get Gomes and Ross, the outfield would be in good, possibly even great, shape for next season.

Final Thoughts: I want to hear from the Fenway Faithul. Who do you think the Red Sox should go after next? Should the Red Sox take a stab at a high-dollar free agent this off-season? Leave a comment below.

Manny Being Manny

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20120220-160038.jpgThe big news around the MLB today is good old Manny Ramirez coming back to play for the Oakland A’s. Regardless of whether you’re a Manny fan or not here in Boston, this is good for baseball. How could it not be? Manny puts people in seats. The Dodgers basically marketed their entire first season with him on the roster around his “Manny being Manny” brand, ie. Mannywood. Unfortunately for us in Boston, the three times Manny would’ve been at Fenway this year, he’ll be on the bench serving out a 50 game suspension from the league. But you can’t even tell me the old ballpark wouldn’t have been sold out those three games. Who knows if Ramirez still has the swing, but with a one year deal worth about $500,000, I guess you could say the A’s are playing Moneyball.

Personally, I like Manny. Don’t get me wrong, he took a turn for the worst in his final days in a Sox uniform and no can argue that, but he helped bring us two world championships. He was there to break the Curse of the Bambino. In his prime, Red Sox Nation loved Manny. In the time since, a lot of people lost that love with his over the top antics, and I don’t blame them. So I’m interested to see what you guys think about him now. What does Red Sox Nation think of Manny Ramirez now?