Braves agree to sign Jonny Gomes

The Atlanta Braves have agreed to sign outfielder Jonny Gomes to a one-year deal, they announced.

Gomes' deal includes a vesting option for 2016, according to Tim Brown of Yahoo! Sports. He will make $4 million in 2015, according to ESPN's Jerry Crasnick. According to CBS Sports' Jon Heyman, Gomes' vesting option, which is worth $3 million, will turn into a team option if it cannot vest.

The 34-year-old Gomes spent 2014 with the Athletics and Red Sox, hitting .234/.327/.330 with six home runs and 37 runs batted in over 321 plate appearances last season. He had an 87 Adjusted OPS+ and a -0.3 fWAR. Gomes, who has been a full-time outfielder just once in his career, receiving over 500 plate appearances in 2010, was much better offensively in 2012 and 2013, as he posted a 142 OPS+ and a 110 OPS+ in those two years, respectively. Gomes' defense has always been subpar.

The Braves were in need of a short-term option in left field, after dealing Evan Gattis to the Astros. Gomes fits that bid, as he will move above Zolio Almonte on the depth chart. Gomes is leaving an Athletics team that has already solidified their outfield corps, with Sam Fuld, Coco Crisp, and Josh Reddick playing left, center, and right field, respectively. Gomes will likely serve as a filler until the Braves feel they can contend again, which could come in 2016 or 2017, when their new ballpark opens. 

Gomes was drafted by the then-Tampa Bay Devil Rays in the 18th round of the 2001 draft and played for them from 2003 to 2008. He has since bounced around the major leagues, putting on the uniforms of the Reds, Nationals, Athletics, and Red Sox. Gomes is a lifetime .244/.335/.442 hitter and still has some of his pop from his prime.

--Devan Fink

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