Jonny Gomes might be on Theo Epstein’s radar.
The Chicago Cubs are in the market for a veteran outfielder with playoff experience and leadership qualities, ESPN.com’s Jesse Rogers reported Friday. League sources told Rogers that the Cubs could be interested in signing Gomes for such a role.
Gomes is set to become a free agent after spending 2014 with the Boston Red Sox and Oakland Athletics. The 33-year-old, who was shipped to Oakland at the Major League Baseball non-waiver trade deadline, hit .234 with six homers, 37 RBIs and a .327 on-base percentage in 112 games between the two stops.
The Red Sox’s 2013 World Series-winning team was full of personality. Gomes was a key member of Boston’s culture change following the club’s disappointing 2012, showing a flair for the dramatic and playing a hard-nosed brand of baseball that Red Sox fans adored. He hit .247 with 13 homers, 52 RBIs and a .344 on-base percentage in 116 regular-season games in 2013.
Gomes is “exactly the type of player the Cubs’ front office is undoubtedly looking for,” Rogers wrote.
Photo by Associated Press
