Please Tell Me That Jonny Gomes Won't Be Starting On The Red Sox Next Season

In the Red Sox' apparent quest to solidify their weak bench this off-season, they made their second move: today, they signed free agent outfielder Jonny Gomes to a 2-year, $10 million deal.

You'll remember him from his days in Tampa Bay, he played for the Rays for six seasons (2003-08). Since then, he's bounced around from Cincinnati to Washington and Oakland where he spent last season. He's known around MLB as a great clubhouse leader and teammate which is something that the Red Sox have sorely lacked in their most recent few seasons.

I'm assuming that Boston sees him strictly as a platoon for DH/corner outfield. Last season against lefties (164 ABs), he hit .299 with a .413 OBP and .561 SLG. In 99 games with the A's in 2012, he hit 18 homers and 47 RBIs with 10 doubles, 46 runs and 73 hits with .262 AVG, .377 OBP and .491 SLG.

For his 10-year MLB career, the new 32-year old Gomes (his birthday is Thanksgiving) has 136 homers, 411 RBIs, 646 hits and 123 doubles with .244 AVG, .344 OBP and .455 SLG. He is a dead pull right-handed hitter, his last 25 home runs have been to left or left center so that should project well in Fenway full-time with the Green Monster. In 31 career games at Fenway, he's hit .262 with three homers and seven RBIs.

Like David Ross, the best we can hope is that this is only the start of something bigger. Cody Ross is still out there, along with Adam LaRoche and Nick Swisher to name a few prime free agents that would fit great on the Red Sox. Gomes certainly doesn't make anybody excited so this signing is somewhat bizarre for Boston who still has numerous huge holes left to fill.

UPDATE 11/28: The Red Sox made a flurry of worthless moves today, HOT STOVE! They finally decided on a hitting coach-Greg Colbrunn-and made three very minor trades. Pitcher Zach Stewart went to Pittsburgh for a player to be named later, third baseman Danny Valencia went to Baltimore for cash considerations and pitcher Sandy Rosario was dealt to Oakland for a player to be named later or cash considerations. Alrighty then.

UPDATE 12/1: The Red Sox didn't tender contracts to Rich Hill, Scott Atchison and Ryan Sweeney, making them all free agents. However, Hill and Atchison could still return on minor league deals in Spring Training. David Carpenter was claimed off waivers by the Braves. Finally, Victor Rodriguez was named assistant hitting coach which apparently is a real position.

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