LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – Jonny Gomes reported to spring training Wednesday, and it didn’t take long for the Braves clubhouse to take on a whole different vibe.
“I’m here to win, and I’m here to win it all,” the veteran outfielder said. “That’s where I’m at.”
Bearded, stocky and heavily tattooed, Gomes has never been one to blend into the woodwork. His playoff experience and reputation as a fiery and vocal leader were big factors that influenced the Braves to sign him a free agent last month, along with his continued ability to hit left-handers even as his overall offense has declined.
Gomes, 34, is penciled in for platoon left-field and pinch-hitting role, facing left-handers. He knows, but doesn’t much care, that people outside the Braves organization have low expectations for the 2015 team.
For the 12-year veteran who played on postseason teams in four of the past five years including each of the past three, there will be no lowering of expectations merely because others say the Braves could lose 90 or more games.
“With my road, my path in the major leagues, I’m scarred deep, to where you’ve got to set your goals high,” said Gomes, who played on Boston’s 2013 World Series championship team. “It’s not setting the goals high, it’s almost expecting it. I’ve been in the World Series with a $41-42 million payroll in ’08 (Tampa Bay), won a division with the Reds in a so-called rebuilding year (2010). The 2012 Oakland A’s, can’t forget about that year. And Boston.
“At the same time, I don’t think I could look at (Braves special assistant and Hall of Famer) Bobby Cox walking around and be like, ‘Hey, Bobby, we’re trying to go .500, what do you think about that?’ It’s not going to work.”
Gomes signed a one-year, $4 million contract which also included a $3 million option for 2016 that vests with 325 plate appearances this season.
He hit just .234 with a .327 on-base percentage and six home runs in 321 plate appearances last season with Boston and Oakland, setting career-lows for home runs (six) and slugging percentage (.330). He was dealt to the A’s with ace Jon Lester in a July 31 trade for Yoenis Cespedes.
He’s been far more effective against lefties, with a .277 career average, .376 OBP and .485 slugging percentage. Even as his power against lefties declined last season, his overall stats against them remained solid: .276 average .373 OBP, .371 slugging percentage with four homers in 170 at-bats.
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