The Indians lock up their newly-crowned starting catcher.
The Cleveland Indians have agreed with 26-year-old catcher Yan Gomes on a six-year, $23 million contract extension, according to Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal. The contract also features a pair of club options that could keep him in Cleveland through the 2021 season. The deal, which is pending a physical, represents the largest ever for a pre-arbitration catcher.
Gomes was recently named the Indians' starting catcher, displacing Carlos Santana, who the team has decided to move to third base. Santana signed a similar five-year, $21 million extension back in 2012 that has proved to be massively team-friendly.
Gomes, originally drafted by the Blue Jays in 2009 and acquired (with Mike Aviles) for Esmil Rogers in 2012, was outstanding in a 88-game, 322 plate appearance sample last season, hitting a robust .294/.345/.481 with a .359 wOBA, 131 wRC+, and 3.7 WAR. He is also considered to be a well-above average defensive catcher, which was the main reason why the Indians felt secure moving Santana to third.
A native of Brazil, Gomes was the first player from the country to ever play in the majors. Since his 2012 debut, White Sox pitcher Andre Rienzo has become the second such player. On July 30th of last year, the two faced off for the first time, with Gomes going one-for-two with a walk.