Mets Trade Rumors: Yan Gomes is a safe choice at catcher

One of the latest New York Mets trade rumors has linked the team to acquiring Cleveland Indians catcher Yan Gomes.

In their offseason quest to add a starting catcher this winter, New York Mets trade rumors have linked them to the Cleveland Indians in completing this mission. According to Andy Martino of SNY, the two teams have discussed a Yan Gomes trade.

Gomes isn’t J.T. Realmuto, but he is less costly and has a good reputation as a teammate and catcher. Though his offensive numbers have been rather inconsistent, he did have a healthy and productive 2018 season.

You can’t ask for too much when trying to add a catcher. I think some people get too caught up in believing there is more than one Mike Piazza. A team with Gomes on their roster should consider themselves lucky.

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With the Indians possibly headed toward a big sale this winter, it would make sense for them to deal Gomes for the right price. The Mets could certainly afford him. Exactly how much the Indians expect to receive in return is the toughest part to predict right now.

Gomes is a safe pick for the Mets because of the way his contract is structured. Although he’s already 31, there is an eject button each year in his contract after 2019. Gomes is set to make a little over $7 million this year with a boost to $9 million in 2020 and $11 million in 2021. Each of the final two years includes an affordable $1 million buyout.

Defensively, Gomes has never posted a negative WAR in any season. He routinely throws out more runners than the league-average, making him a huge upgrade over the other guys the Mets have had behind the plate in recent years.

This winter’s Mets trade rumors have mostly pointed at subtracting Noah Syndergaard from the rotation. For a change, it’s nice to see one about an addition.

Of course, there’s always a price to pay and I don’t think the Indians are ready to simply take prospects. Someone like Brandon Nimmo would intrigue them.

As Martino suggested, there’s a thought that the Mets could trade Syndergaard and find a replacement through other means. I think they would have to do this from free agency.

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Until we actually see someone put on a pair of shin guards, I expect more Mets trade rumors to focus on which catchers they could potentially add. Gomes is one of the better backstops on the trade block they could actually afford.