Mr. America is taking his talents to Japan.
Jonny Gomes is headed to the Land of the Rising Sun in 2016 after not fielding offers from any Major League Baseball clubs, the outfielder told FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal. Gomes is coming off a World Series win with the Kansas City Royals — he didn’t play in the postseason — and is only three years removed from another win with the Boston Red Sox in 2013.
“The last couple of years for me, it’s been World Series or bust,” Gomes told Rosenthal on Tuesday night. “This is World Series or bust with a little twist. I’ll go win over there.”
The 35-year-old Gomes signed with the Rakuten Golden Eagles on a one-year contract with $2 million guaranteed plus up to $1 million worth of incentives. Gomes said he meant no disrespect to MLB, but he couldn’t wait around for an offer in the U.S.
“This is not how it’s supposed to be,” Gomes said. “It seems like the players are getting bullied. It’s February. These people are human beings. They have families. They’ve got to make plans.
“I’m not trying to get back at baseball by any means. But I’m not just going to hang around. What has changed since the end of September? It’s not like a guy is hot right now or in a slump.”
However, the move to Japan doesn’t mean the guy famous for rocking an American flag suit at the White House will never play in the states again.
“This isn’t a farewell tour” Gomes told Rosenthal. “This isn’t like my last year. I have no plans of hanging it up. I can always come back or — if I take off over there — finish my career there.”
Gomes appeared in just 95 games last season while splitting time with Kansas City and the Atlanta Braves. The 35-year-old hit just .213 with seven home runs and 26 RBIs.
Thumbnail photo via Geoff Burke/USA TODAY Sports Images
