Gomes Finds a New Home

Reds sign Jonny Gomes (minor league deal)

Signing Gomes is a prudent move for the Reds and one that beats the heck out of trading for Jermaine Dye. Over the last three years has measured out below replacement level – thanks in part to less than stellar fielding – but last year a .200 BABIP attributed to the poor results. Over the last three years Gomes wRAAs have been rather poor for an outfielder with a reputation for power: -4, 2.6, -4.3. Despite that, CHONE has Gomes at 9.8 wRAA while Marcels says -3.1, and Oliver 0.7. Gomes career .879 OPS versus left-handed pitchers suggests he should hit in a platoon role, and as mentioned his defense is below average (See this photo for evidence), but there’s a chance Gomes becomes a poor man’s Adam Dunn. He’ll compete with Norris Hopper and others for a roster spot.

Nationals sign Gary Glover (minor league deal)

Another former Ray, Glover is what he is. A replacement level reliever with a starter’s history, suggesting he’s capable of producing outings of multiple innings. Glover joins Bobby Brownlie, Gustavo Chacin, Jesus Colome, Justin Jones, Wilfredo Ledezma, J.D. Martin, Jorge Sosa, Josh Towers, and Ryan Wagner as National non-roster invitees.

Giants sign Juan Uribe (minor league deal)

Over the last three years Uribe has been worth 1.1 wins while Willie Bloomquist was worth 0.4 wins, yet somehow the latter gets a multi-year major league deal, and Uribe settles for a minor league deal. Where’s the justice in that? There’s no guarantee Uribe makes the 25-man roster, but you have to believe at some point this year he’ll get some at-bats with the Giants and at an appropriate price for his talent.

Red Sox sign Fernando Cabrera (minor league deal)

Within a week of losing David Aardsma the Red Sox quickly filled their “high strikeout, walk” reliever quota with Cabrera. It’s been a while since Cabrera teased the baseball world in 2005 with 50 innings and a 2.63 FIP. In every season since Cabrera’s walk rate has been above 4.5 mark in the majors. Relievers are so volatile, there’s a chance Cabrera gets back to his 2005 self next year, but it’s probably more likely he remains a tempting however unfulfilling replacement level reliever.