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| MLBTR |
The Washington Nationals have acquired C Yan Gomes from the Cleveland Indians in exchange for RHP Jefry Rodriguez, RF Daniel Johnson and a player to be named later.
For the Nationals, they are attempting to re-shape their catcher depth chart. They signed Kurt Suzuki, who will platoon with Gomes, who has decent power and a good arm. They don\’t give up any top prospects or major roster players and get a catcher, a position they need. Gomes made his first all-star team in 2018.
Gomes, 31, had a batting average of .266, a .313 OBP, 16 home runs and 48 RBIs in 435 Plate Appearances in 2018 for the Indians. The best season in his career can with the Indians in 2014, when he had a .278 batting average, an OBP of .313, 21 home runs and 74 RBIs in 518 Plate Appearances. In his MLB career for the Indians and Toronto Blue Jays, Gomes has hit .248 with a .295 OBP, 87 home runs and 308 RBIs in 2422 Plate Appearances.
For the Indians, I don\’t understand why they are trading Gomes. In a terrible AL Central, they can win the division for years. They traded their top catching prospect in Fransisco Mejia and now their starting catcher. That leaves them with backup Roberto Perez. It would make sense though if they signed either Yasmani Grandal, Wilson Ramos or Robinson Chirinos in free agency. The return is probably what the return for a player like Gomes should be.
Rodriguez, 25, made his MLB debut in 2018 with a 5.71 ERA, 5.97 FIP and 38 strikeouts in 52 innings for the Nats.
Johnson, 23, had a .269 batting average, .327 OBP, seven home runs, 35 RBIs and 22 stolen bases in 415 Plate Appearances in 2018 for the rookie league Nationals and AA Harrisburg.
I think the Nationals win this trade. While it is an even trade, I don\’t get why the Indians are making the trade in the first place.
CarterHud 