The Washington Nationals have made a surprising move less than one week before the 2011 MLB trade deadline, acquiring Cincinnati Reds outfielder Jonny Gomes for minor league outfielder Bill Rhinehart and lefty pitcher Chris Manno. The team has announced the trade in a press release.
Gomes is not a name that was on the radar in the latest MLB trade rumors. He's a power hitter that doesn't hit well for average, but can supply some pop as a right-handed hitter. This season, his third with the Reds, he was hitting just .211 with 11 home runs and 31 RBIs, with a .336 on-base percentage. Last season, he hit .266 with 18 home runs, 86 RBIs and a .327 on-base percentage. However, he is also a free agent, so it is unclear if he has much of a future with the team.
It's not immediately clear where Gomes will play. Jayson Werth is in right field, so perhaps Gomes can play some left field. He can also be a pinch-hitter. Rhinehart is a 26-year old outfielder in Double-A, so he's not a significant prospect. Marro was a decent prospect who had picked up 12 saves for Single-A Hagerstown.
For more on the trade, visit Federal Baseball.