Loading ...We’ve beaten the Orlando Cabrera issue to death, but Walt Jocketty and the Reds have an offer out to our old buddy Jonny Gomes, too. Of course, if he does sign with Cincinnati, he’ll probably be left off the Opening Day roster so that Dusty and Walt can bring Miguel Cairo or someone to Cincinnati.
On an unrelated note, if you haven’t submitted a question for Matt Klinker, go do that now!
I don’t think he has much left out there for him either, I think in the end there is a good chance he is back. Another guy I would like to try to get on a minor league deal is Hank Blalock, just to give some depth at 1B. If they could get him on a minor league deal it wouldn’t be too awful bad having him waiting in L’ville.
I much rather have Gomes over Nix & Taveras that is for sure. I could really live with an outfield of Bruce/Stubbs/Dickerson/Gomes/Balentien.
I hope they can do both deals.
Gomes put up some great offensive numbers. I believe we will miss him.
Cabrera really does seem like an upgrade. I question whether Janish could hit much better than.220 in a full season.
I really question as to whether Cabrera can field a whole season or bat in the two hole the whole season. Give Janish a chance, he could surprise.
I hope they can sign both.
Bring break el sombrero!
Gomes on a minor league deal is a no brainer. Still surprised an AL team has not given him a low dollar deal as a DH/LH/IB utility guy.
As for Cabera, it all depends on the contract and how they use him. One year splitting time with Janish and batting 8th ok. 2 years with him starting every day and batting second really is likely to be Taveras all over again.
Gomes is so awesome that every other MLB team has passed on him.
I like Gomes. I think he’s great as your primary pinch hitter and OF spot starter. I don’t think he’s an everyday player, but he’s a good piece of the puzzle.
Now, about Orlando Cabrera…
You know, uh, Jason1972 makes a good point.
@jason1972: Two things. One, we do not know if Gomes and his agent priced him out of this market. If he thought last year was enough of a bounceback to get him into the 3-4 million dollatr range, that just is not happening now.
Second, it does seem teams are putting more of a premium on defense and that is not a strength for him. That is why I thought the AL would be where he ended up. But given the defense we have at the other spots in our OF, and our lack of a RH power bat in the OF, I think he fits our roster pretty well.
I agree whole-heartedly JasonL
Hopefully, WJ can work out a deal so in a few days we can all say, “Heeeere’s Jonny!” If for no other reason than a RH pinch hitter with some pop in his bat and some spot starts in LF against tough LH starting pitching.
This pretty much sums it all up. ditto.
It seems that Gomes would be a good fit as a DH since many teams are (apparently) going to a DL-by-committee style lineup as opposed to the “old fat guy who can’t run” DH approach that was the style-de-jour in the 90s and 00s. That said, I’d like the Reds to sign Gomes, and if worse comes to worst, trade him to one of the aforementioned DH-seeking teams at the deadline for players that fit the long-term goals of the organization.
Cabrera is leaning toward accepting the Reds’ offer today, according to Tim Brown of Yahoo Sports.
It’s not that Gomes doesn’t have range. About a month ago some Gomes videos were posted at MLB.net (They may still be there under his entry in the hotstove spection) where he ran a long way to pick a flyball headed to the left field corner. The runner on second took off before the ball was caught because there was no way anyone thought Gomes would get to it. Gomes made the catch at full speed, spun quickly and unloaded an opposite direction bullet to second to pick the runner off. Impressive. His bad stats show that he is inconsistent, not that he’s got bad range. Not that that is going to be enough to change anyone’s mind about Gomes’ defense. But really, wouldn’t it be a better team with Gomes on it.
If he signs the LF and CF battles will be great fodder for debate. Think about it, LF between Gomes, Balentien, Heisey, Nix, and Dickerson, and CF between Stubbs, Dickerson, and Taveras.
A two year 5 million dollar deal should work nicely; 1.5 million this year and 3.5 million next? Any thoughts on that?
http://twitter.com/TBrownYahoo/status/8424970273
Looking more and more like Cabrera is coming on-board…
@TC: Way too much money for a player who has had such limited success and is more of a platoon player. You can’t pay a player with a WAR of less than 1 $3.5 mil. I wouldn’t sign him to more than one year at a time unless he can prove to be an everyday player. I honestly wouldn’t pay over 1-1.5 mil because his value is really limited.
I’d love to see Johnny back on the roster.
ESPN is reporting that a minor-league deal with Gomes is close.
@BJ Ruble: You’re right, but watch the deal be a two year deal between 4-5 million backloaded. And I’d be okay with that in order to get him back for next year. Let’s face it, they could really use his bat.
Speaking of lineups, let’s suppose the Reds sign both Gomes and Cabrera. Using a little common sense and an awareness of Dusty’s proclivities, the opening day lineup might likely look like this:
1. CF Dickerson or Stubbs
2. SS Cabrera
3. 1B Votto
4. LF Gomes
5. RF Bruce
6. 3B Rolen
7. 2B Phillips
8. C Hernandez
9. P
I’m not sure what I think of this lineup. I don’t see anyone who would be better in the 2 hole than Cabrera unless you have both Stubbs and Dickerson starting. Then it looks like this:
1. RF Dickerson
2. CF Stubbs
3. 1B Votto
4. 2B Phillips
5. RF Bruce
6. 3B Rolen
7. SS Cabrera
8. C Hernandez
9. P
As much as I like Gomes, I like this lineup better. However, Stubbs has shown no reason to be in the 2 hole yet either. The only difference I would make would be switching Rolen and Phillips. Also, having Gomes and Cabrera making up a quarter of your defense is a bit unsettling.
Conclusion: This team was obviously built around defense. There isn’t a lineup that makes a lick of sense or possibly work. Forgive my ramblings.
We need another bat in the OF and on the bench. Welcome back Johnny if it’s true. He’s not the only one who might have outpriced himself, look at Damon.