As was reported by John Fay of the Enquirer this morning, Jonny Gomes has signed a Major League one-year deal with the Reds with an option for 2011.  This was a deal that, while it was a long time coming, it appeared that the player, the team, and the fans all believed that he would end up back with the Reds.  Even with the plethora of candidates hopeful of  plying their trade patrolling GABP’s left field this year, Gomes adds a positive dynamic to the picture.  Not only did he hit 20 jacks in just 281 ABs last season, but if you consider Laynce Nix as a possible platoon partner , the two players combined for 35 HR and 97 RBIs in 2009.  Here are a couple snapshots from Gomes’ ’09 season:

• Granted, he hit lefties better than righties.  He batted .307 with a .914 OPS (on-base plus slugging percentage) vs. LHP, and just .244 but with a respectable .859 OPS against RHP.  Interestingly, he hit a home run against a lefty every 20.1 ABs, but his 15 homers against right-handed pitching came once every 12 at-bats.
• In 121 ABs in games that the Reds won, he hit .331 with a lofty 1.057 OPS.  In 160 at-bats in Reds losses, he hit .219 with a paltry .744 OPS.  It could mean that he helped vault the Reds to victory.  It could also mean that he feasts on mediocre pitching, while the better pitchers manage to find the holes in his swing.
• Jonny is not a good outfielder, but you already knew that.  And after years of Adam Dunn roller-skating throughout left-field for the team, we’re accustomed to sacrificing more than a little defense.

The great Sparky Anderson once said, “If you put bench players on the field long enough, they will show you why they are bench players.”  Gomes is not a guy that should be out there every day (He has not amassed more than 410 plate appearances in any of his seven MLB seasons).  But if Dusty can hit the right match ups, another 20/50 season should be well within the realm of possibility.