Gomes played in Japan in 2016, but did not workout with the Rakuten Golden Eagles, and left after 18 games. He still could make a roster as a bench bat, but will most likely have to settle for a minor league deal with an invite to Spring Training. He will be a waiver wire mainstay if he does return.

Gomes will officially call it a career at age 35 after 1,203 MLB games in which he produced a .769 OPS with 162 homers and 157 doubles. The power-hitting outfielder put up six seasons of at least 17 home runs and played for three pennant-winning clubs. Gomes was big part of Boston's 2013 World Series title run and he won a second ring with Kansas City last year.

Gomes has yet to receive much interest on the free-agent market here in the States, so the veteran will take his bat over to Japan on a $2M deal. Gomes put up a .213/.313/.347 slash over 262 plate appearances between Atlanta and Kansas City last year.

After his impressive speech and awesome mic drop at the Royals World Series parade, Gomes had his player option declined Thursday. Gomes wasn't even on the Royals playoff roster and I'm still scratching my head as to why he even spoke at the parade in the first place. If Gomes finds a job somewhere, it will be nothing more than a bench role.