Royals trade rumors: Kansas City eyeing Boston's Jonny Gomes

The Kansas City Royals are in need of a right-handed batter, and are apparently looking at Boston Red Sox' outfielder Jonny Gomes to fill the void, tweets ESPN's Jerry Crasnick.

The #royals, in the market for a RH bat, have Jonny Gomes on their list of potential trade targets. #redsox

— Jerry Crasnick (@jcrasnick) July 14, 2014

The Royals have been on the hunt for a new right fielder with incumbent Nori Aoki struggling to the tune of an 80 OPS+ with zero home runs and a -0.7 WAR. Add in the recently acquired Raul Ibanez (who has a -13 OPS+ in 34 plate appearances with Kansas City after a horrid stint in Anaheim) and the Royals have one of the worst right field situations in baseball, which probably isn't ideal for a team with playoff aspirations.

Though Gomes is primarily a left fielder, he can profile in right, having already played 11 games at the position so far this season. A liability defensively, the 33-year-old would likely slot in the right-handed side of a platoon role with lefties Aoki and Ibanez if he were acquired. Gomes has historically hit much better against lefties, notching an .875 OPS versus southpaws and a .723 mark against righties for his career. He has an .832 OPS in 119 plate appearances against lefties this season.

Gomes likely wouldn't cost much considering he is in the final year of a two-year deal signed with Boston before the 2013 season and is owed just over $2 million the rest of the year. After posting a 111 OPS+ in 366 plate appearances last season, Gomes has seen his production slip in 2014, as he is hitting just .234/.329/.351 with a 90 OPS+ and .308 wOBA.