Details are starting to surface about the reported latest Red Sox free-agent signing.
Boston signed Jonny Gomes to a two-year, $10 million contract, as first reported by Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle. Gomes fills a need for the Red Sox in the outfield, and he is especially strong against left-handed pitchers. Slusser reported it was double what the A’s offered Gomes at the end of last season.
Gomes has a career .894 OPS against lefties in his 10-year career. Last season he batted .262 with 18 home runs and 47 RBIs in just 333 plate appearances. He had a .974 OPS against lefties in 2012. The 31-year-old has played with the Rays, Reds, Nationals and Athletics in his career. He was part of the late-surging Oakland A’s in 2012.
Gomes is known as a great clubhouse influence, and according to Athletics broadcaster Vince Cotroneo, the newest Boston ballplayer is a baseball trivia buff as well.
