The 707 Leaves the 510 For the 617 (Jonny Gomes to Sign With the Boston Red Sox)
By Sean Davis
We all knew it was coming from the moment the Athletics acquired Chris Young from the Diamondbacks. It had become abundantly clear with that transaction that Jonny Gomes time with Oakland had probably come to a conclusion. Scott Lauber of the Boston Herald first reported today that the Red Sox and Gomes were close to completing a 2 year contract earlier today. It’s tough to see Gomes go, and I had been a major proponent of keeping Gomes in Oakland, but it simply was not to be.
September 20, 2012; Detroit, MI, USA; Oakland Athletics designated hitter Jonny Gomes (31) in the dugout during the game against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-US PRESSWIRE
As I’ve mentioned a number of times here, I’m from Gomes’ home town of Petaluma, and I graduated from the same high school Gomes attended as well. I was absolutely thrilled when the Athletics signed him, because I knew he would bring some serious fire to the A’s clubhouse, and he was someone I could feel an especially high sense of pride for. I lost count of how many times I heard Gomes referred to as “the pride of Petaluma” throughout the season. Quite simply, it was amazing having my home town guy on my favorite team.
Susan Slusser reported that it was a 2 year deal worth $10 million, and that it was about twice the amount that the A’s had reportedly offered Gomes back in September. Simply put, Gomes wanted to get paid, and the Boston Red Sox were willing to oblige him.
While the loss of Gomes probably won’t hurt the A’s as far as roster composition goes, Chris Young is undoubtedly a superior all around player. But Gomes clubhouse presence has a value all its own. In Boston, Gomes will seldom see the DH spot as that role has been occupied for years by David Ortiz who signed his own new two year contract in Boston recently. So perhaps Gomes will be tasked with battling the Green Monster in left field, his limited range in the outfield can probably be hidden there much like Manny Ramirez‘s was for all those years at Fenway.
Gomes was a great Athletic, he’ll be missed for sure. And his presence with the Red Sox will have a huge impact in attempting to right that wayward ship.