The Chicago Cubs have been able to cross off multiple players on their Christmas wish list well before the holiday after a successful run at the Winter Meetings. The Cubs still need the next guy on their Christmas list, a veteran outfielder who can be a great mentor in the clubhouse, but also productive on the field.
The Cubs need Jonny Gomes for Christmas.
Chicago came into the offseason needing another outfielder, and have yet to fill that void. If anything, they receded further from filling that need after trading outfielder Justin Ruggiano to the Seattle Mariners for right-handed pitching prospect Matt Brazis. That leaves Jorge Soler and Chris Coghlan as the corner outfielders with prospect Arismendy Alcántara projected to play in center.
Gomes is a perfect fit for the North Siders. He could split time with the Cubs’ emerging prospects, and be a great mentor with his 11 years of MLB experience. He has appeared in four of the last five postseasons with with various teams, and won the World Series with the Boston Red Sox in 2013.
Another reason why Gomes makes so much sense for the Cubs is that he played for new Cubs manager Joe Maddon while the two were with the Tampa Bay Rays. In addition, Gomes spent time with Jon Lester and Jason Hammel at the tail-end of last season while with the Oakland Athletics, as well as with the Red Sox, at least for Lester.
Gomes would make a perfect Christmas addition to the North Side of Chicago. He would provide a cohesive blend between prospects and veterans on the Cubs’ roster that is on the cusp of being in contention for a postseason berth.
Dan Marmaduke is a Chicago Cubs, NFL, and NBA Blogger for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @MarmadukeSports and add him to your network on Google.
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