The Washington Nationals and catcher Yan Gomes, who formed the team’s catching duo along with veteran backstop Kurt Suzuki last season, has agreed to a new deal that will keep him in the capital for the next two seasons.
The team is yet to make the official announcement of the deal, but it has been reported by various media sources that he will sign for two years and $10 million.
Washington acquired Gomes last November in a trade from the Cleveland Indians. He split time with Suzuki behind the dish last season, starting 90 games.
Gomes isn’t a superstar, but he had a solid season splitting catching duties with Suzuki last season. He hit .223 with 12 home runs and 43 RBI, turning in pedestrian offensive numbers.
The Brazil native’s real value is in his defense, where he is rated to be one of the best catchers in baseball. Gomes threw out 29% of base stealers last season, one of the best marks in the league.
Gomes owns a career batting line of .245/.297/.420 with 99 home runs in seven career Major League seasons.
He is expected to spend his eighth season at the age of 32 splitting Nationals catching duties with Suzuki once again.
