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Boston likes results of Gomes-Nava platoon

BOSTON -- Jonny Gomes and Daniel Nava combined to form a winning combination. The Red Sox are planning to keep it going in 2014.

Gomes, who has predominantly performed better against left-handed pitching throughout his career, actually posted a higher average against right-handers in 2013, eventually earning the nod ahead of Nava against both lefties and righties in the postseason. But, as his career splits indicate, Gomes may still be best suited for a platoon situation, especially when combined with Nava, who hit .322 with an .894 OPS against right-handers.

"I think the one thing that we can look back on this year is we probably allowed guys to have success by taking advantage of their strengths," said manager John Farrell. "I know you can make the argument that [Gomes] performed better against righties this year than in years past, but when you look at the combination of what he and Daniel Nava did in left field, I want to say it was about 110 RBIs, it was close to 30 home runs, it was over 50 doubles. I think that combination was extremely productive."

While the Red Sox still have to figure out what center field, third base, first base, shortstop and catcher will look like in 2014, left field should be set.

"Depending on what the entire roster looks like when we get to Spring Training, that will have a lot to do with the workload of every guy on this team," Farrell said. "The one thing that we are sure of is that Jonny Gomes did exactly what we hoped for him to do when he came here."

Jason Mastrodonato is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @jmastrodonato.
Read More: Boston Red Sox, Jonny Gomes, Daniel Nava