Jonny Gomes
by kimo from kauai on Jan 29, 2010 6:46 PM EST
Email
PrintJonny Gomes is still unemployed and supposedly offered only a minor league contract from Cinncinnati. An incentive laden offer from Tampa might get him back. He performed very well with the stick last season.
Wouldn't he be cheap insurance in case Pat Burrell continues his struggles. If PTB doesn't show dramatic improvement in the first part of the season he could be released, Gomes could then fit as DH and inspirational team mate.
This post was written by a member of the DRaysBay community and does not necessarily express the views or opinions of DRaysBay staff.
13 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
drop from 40
If someones needs to go, I suggest J Ruggiano or E Johnson.
by kimo from kauai on Jan 29, 2010 7:02 PM EST up reply actions
Do you think he will have to
accept a minor league deal? If not, he will have to replace someone expected to be on the 25 man roster. Who would that be?
Let’s assume 11 pitchers, a very conservative estimate. That leaves 14 players. Here are candidates to fill those spots:
Navarro*, Shoppach*
Pena*, Aybar*, D. Johnson
Zobrist*, S. Rodriguez
Longoria*
Bartlett*, Brignac
Crawford*, Upton*, Joyce*, Kapler*, F. Perez
Burrell*
Barring a trade, I think the 12 players I starred are either guaranteed a job or would not be dumped for Gomes. So that leaves 2 spots, and more likely one since the Rays will probably carry 12 pitchers, up for grabs between Johnson, S. Rodriguez, Brignac, F. Perez and you are suggesting Gomes. Which one among those 5 (or two if you insist) are most likely to stick?
Gomes
I think he would take a minor league deal with a guarantee that he be on the ML roster, say on May 1, 2010. If not activated by that date he becomes a free agent. This is not an uncommon type of contract.
My thought is that he is an insurance policy for Burrell and if a space on the 25 is needed on that date and if Burrell continues to under perform then one solution is to release Burrell.
Another thought is Joyce might be left in the minors to accommodate Gomes at the start of the season, but again I am mostly looking for a cheap insurance policy or cheap alternative if Burrell fails again.
Among the 5 players you mentioned, I think Johnson, Brignac, and Perez are the most likely to start the season in the minors. So it would be between Rodriguez and Gomes to show the best in spring training.
That scenario would leave a catcher, Aybar, Kapler, and Rodriguez/Gomes on the bench. That may not be the best possible but Zobrist could fill SS, Aybar the corners and 2B, and Kapler the backup OF.
The real issue is DH, Either someone steps up in spring to replace the Bat or Burrell performs at an acceptable level into the season. If Burrell does not perform then this contingency plan comes into play.
by kimo from kauai on Jan 30, 2010 2:50 AM EST up reply actions
What if Burrell gets off to a slow start? What if his first 100 PA's he does something like .220/.330/.420?
Is he going to get better? Worse? I think he’s here to stay, I hope he’s worked his ass off all winter. If healthy, he’s a better bat than anyone on the wire or in the system. As for cheap insurance policies, what about Aybar, Rodriguez, Pena, DanJo, Brignac, Joyce all chipping in playing time here and there as part of a rotation? You wouldn’t need all of those guys, obviously, but I think something like a Brignac/S-Rod DH platoon wouldn’t be horrible, and would only cost 800K. Meanwhile, those guys can at least fill in a position when someone else needs a day off.
I'm a writer.
by Andy Hellicksonstine on Jan 30, 2010 10:42 AM EST up reply actions
I totally agree
As for cheap insurance policies, what about Aybar, Rodriguez, Pena, DanJo, Brignac, Joyce all chipping in playing time here and there as part of a rotation?
As for Gomes….. wait I really would rather have Damon.
--Gerald Wallace is the best player the Bobcats will have..... EVER
--Someone should slap Larry Brown and bring him back to reality..
He can't DH. He proved that here for 2+ years. I know he had a good year, but the ALE isn't the NLC.
I miss George Steinbrenner. He was the man responsible for keeping the Yankees competitive.
Final thought for the evening,
Even before the BP Pecota was published I believed the Rays have an excellent chance for the playoffs this year. This is based mostly on the potential strength of the starting staff.
The window of opportunity is small (maybe only 2010 if Pena and Crawford depart) and resources are limited. Discussions about J Damon and replacing Burrell may not be the best use of money unless Damon comes cheaper than I expect. Gomes may be a viable alternative to a failing Burrell in 2010. He is certainly not the only option for a DH (Aybar should get a chance as well) but options need to be considered as Burrell (DH) looks to be a hole in the lineup.
by kimo from kauai on Jan 30, 2010 3:00 AM EST reply actions
This is based mostly on the potential strength of the starting staff.
This is our biggest advantage over the Yanks and Sox. We seemingly could take blows to our roster (in the form of injury) better than either. The Yanks, moreso, and Sox can make trades if something happens, but we don’t need to do that to stay competetive.
I think the window may get smaller after this year but that doesn't mean they won't stay competitve
and jsut think another Pena like player signed to a contract could be a huge difference maker. I really think that the Rays FO is one of the best at getting the best players possible whether it be through FA, trades, or developing talent. Then they could get even better who knows.
--Gerald Wallace is the best player the Bobcats will have..... EVER
--Someone should slap Larry Brown and bring him back to reality..
A better option would be
Mr. Rocco Baldelli
by Blue or CONKZILLA on Feb 1, 2010 7:15 AM EST reply actions
I loved Jonny Gomes.
But, there is no spot for him on the roster. If we didn’t have Burrell or outfield options such as Perez, Joyce, Kaplar, and Jennings, I would be for giving Jonny another shot. I do agree with the above comment, the ALE is a LOT different then almost any other division in baseball. What’s best for Jonny is stay in the NL for right now.
Blah!
by thebaddancingraysfan on Feb 2, 2010 12:58 PM EST reply actions
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Please read our Community Guidelines.
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
DRB Suggestion Box
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
