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Jonny Gomes gets around. After just one season in Oakland, the outfielder and designated hitter is nearing a deal with his fifth team, the Boston Red Sox. According to Scott Lauber of the Boston Herald, the Sox are in talks on a two-year deal with the 31-year-old.
Gomes established himself as a power hitter in his 2005 rookie campaign, where he hit 21 home runs for Tampa Bay and finished third in Rookie of the Year voting. In 2009, Gomes switched over to the National League, joining the Cincinnati Reds. After struggling through the first part of 2011, he was traded to the Washington Nationals for two minor-league players.
Released by the Nationals after he continued his poor showing, Gomes had a renaissance with Oakland in 2012. He hit 18 home runs and his .491 slugging was his highest since 2009.
Gomes is leaving his native California, having been born in Petaluma.