Things heated up very quickly on Indians catcher Yan Gomes tonight, and boom, just like that, he’s been dealt to the Nationals:
Yan Gomes is being acquired by the #Nats. Gives them a nice catching combo with Suzuki. Minor League RF Daniel Johnson going the other way to #Indians . (sorry if you saw earlier that mentioned Michael Taylor; he's not involved)
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) November 30, 2018
The 31-year-old backstop (whoa, did not realize he was already 31) was at one time a heavy-hitting middle-of-the-order type for the Indians, but more recently has been an average-hitting, excellent-defensive, excellent-receiving catcher. Not a bad guy to pair with their recent free agent signing in Kurt Suzuki. That’s a really nice tandem to add on the fly in the offseason.
Although Gomes does not make a ton of money – $7.1 million in 2019, $9 million team option the next year ($1 million buyout), and $11 million team option the next year ($1 million buyout) – having added him and Suzuki (two years, $5 million), the Nationals have committed more than $12 million behind the plate in 2019. It’s not so much that it’ll preclude other maneuvering, but it’s worth keeping in mind that the Nationals may not be the most financially flexible club out there – and they’re also in on the Patrick Corbin chase. My point? It might not be long before they’re spent up, and are no longer seriously bidding on Bryce Harper.
Meanwhile, whether they lose Harper or not, the Nationals certainly aren’t laying down for 2019. That East could be quite a battle if the Mets are going after it, the Braves have already improved on a good team, and the Phillies are going to spend like crazy.