New Nationals outfielder Jonny Gomes mentioned former – and now once more current – teammate Laynce Nix during his chat with reporters in Cincinnati. Gomes and Nix played together with the Reds the previous two seasons. They basically play the same position and with Nix still fighting a sore achillies could form a platoon in left field the rest of the season in Washington.
“I think that he’ll add a lot to this clubhouse with his personality,” Nix said after an 11-2 loss to the Marlins on Tuesday. “He’s a go-getter. I’m excited. I’m not sure what the move is or what the situation is, but Jonny will be good to have around.”
The “move” would be who to remove from the 25-man roster to make room for Gomes. Designating pinch hitter Matt Stairs for assignment makes sense given his struggles (.154 batting average) and because he’s a specialist. But maybe the Nats have something else in store when they add Gomes on Wednesday. Either way, Nix is happy to have another vocal presence in the clubhouse, someone who will keep everyone loose. Davey Johnson likes adding a right-handed bat with power.
Let’s not go crazy here – Gomes hasn’t been a very productive hitter this season. His average stinks (.211). He isn’t getting on base a ton (.336). But he does have some pop (11 home runs). That will be enough for the Nats the final two months of the season. Johnson also believes Washington’s hitters are being too selective so maybe an aggressive player like Gomes can spark something. That’s probably a stretch, but given the minor leaguers they gave up the Nats feel like it was worth it.
“He’s a guy that will be infectious in the clubhouse for taking on challenges and going 100 percent and not thinking about negatives,” Nix said. “So you can say he’s an either-or guy, but he’s an either guy a lot of the time.”
Gomes played 166 games in left field for Cincinnati in 2009 and 2010. Nix played 122. Gomes added 34 games in right field. Nix saw action in 14 at that spot and another 10 in center field. With Nix gone this season, Gomes started 51 games in left for the Reds before the trade.
“I don’t know if it’s going to be a fresh start, but it’s not like I’m a rookie,” Gomes told reporters in Cincinnati after the deal. “I’m not going to go over to the Nationals in the N.L. East and people are going to pitch me different, like they’ve never seen me before. I do have a history, and I do have a label. Just a clean slate.”
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