The Cincinnati Reds, feeling they needed a right-handed power bat, decided to bring back a slugger who had a pretty good year for them in 2009.
According to ESPN.com, the Reds have brought back right-handed-hitting outfielder Jonny Gomes on a one-year contract worth $800,000.
The contract also includes a $1.75 million club option for 2011.
The Reds have a pretty interesting outfield situation heading into 2010. They are set in right and center with two phenomenal young players in Jay Bruce and Drew Stubbs.
However, their left field situation is up in the air—way up in the air. The Reds have essentially four guys in camp competing for one job. Chris Dickerson, Laynce Nix, Wladimir Balentien, and Gomes are competing for that starting job in left.
Gomes had a pretty good year for the Reds in 2009 offensively. In 281 ABs, the 29-year-old had 20 home runs and an .879 OPS. That is pretty impressive.
Despite his impressive 2009 season, Gomes will most likely find himself in a platoon with Dickerson in 2010. Dickerson struggles against lefties (.243/.326/.297 against LHP in 2009), so look for Gomes to play against southpaws.
Whoever is in left field for the Reds in 2010 will just be keeping the seat warm for one season. I believe the Reds will move Joey Votto to left in 2011 to make room for first base prospect Yonder Alonso.
In seven seasons, Gomes has a .241 average with 86 home runs and a .330 OBP with the Tampa Bay Rays and Reds.
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