The Atlanta Braves have agreed to sign outfielder Jonny Gomes to a one-year deal with an option for the 2016 season, Tim Brown of Yahoo Sports first reported the deal. Jerry Crasnick of ESPN reported Gomes with earn $4 million in 2015.
Mark Bowman of MLB.com reported Tuesday that the Braves were interested in the veteran outfielder’s services as they looked to put together a platoon in left field. They were able to get a deal done and now Atlanta has a very solid offensive piece that hits left-handed pitching very well.
For his career against left-handed pitching Gomes’s slash line is .277/.376/.485 in 1,494 plate appearances. Last season with the Boston Red Sox and Oakland A’s he slashed .276/.373/.371 against left-handers. His power declined but he was still able to get on base at a consistent rate, which is something the Braves are desperately looking for.
Gomes, 34, was a World Series Champion with the Red Sox back in 2013 and is known as a great clubhouse guy. With the Braves rebuilding this team and infusing a bunch of young talent, Gomes could prove to be a good mentor for a team that lacks veteran leadership.
He has never been an everyday player and will probably platoon in left field with Zoilo Almonte, who the Braves signed away from the New York Yankees. Other left handed hitters like Todd Cunningham, Joe Terdoslovich, Jose Constanza could also platoon in left field with Gomes.
This is another move John Hart has made to revamp the depleted outfield after they traded corner outfielders Jason Heyward, Justin Upton, and Evan Gattis. Gomes and other acquisitions (Nick Markakis) are going to fully replace that production, but these guys give consistent at-bats, and it seems the Braves are giving younger players an opportunity to prove themselves at the major-league level.