Report: Ex-Red Sox Jonny Gomes Could Draw Offseason Interest From Cubs

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.

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