Cubs Add Another Catcher, DFA Yan Gomes
Just yesterday, the Chicago Cubs made a move to acquire minor league catcher William Simoneit from the Philadelphia Phillies for cash considerations. Simoneit was assigned to AA Tennessee to replace Moises Ballesteros, the Cubs’ sixth-ranked prospect, who was recently promoted to AAA Iowa. This was not exactly the catching trade the team’s followers were looking to be made, but it’s a trade nonetheless.
This season, Miguel Amaya and Yan Gomes have been the catchers, and it has not been pretty. Both are batting under .200, and Gomes is under .200 in on-base percentage. Defensively, they accumulate for a -7 run value. They are contributing to costing the Cubs wins on offense and defense.
While this team needs plenty of fixes, catching is considered a priority for the Cubs. President of Baseball Operations Jed Hoyer has spoken multiple times with the media about his future plans for the team. His story has never wavered. He believes the “fix” must come from what is in the organization now, but help could come from the trade market.
As teams begin to figure out what is best for them to move forward in 2024, the trade market will start to heat up. Teams deciding to DFA players on their roster is just as important to watch. The Mets have opted to move on from a franchise veteran, causing the Cubs to shake things up on their end.
Cubs Sign Catcher Tomás Nido, DFA Yan Gomes
The Chicago Cubs announced on Wednesday they have signed catcher Tomás Nido to the active roster. Nido was DFA’d by the New York Mets on June 11th and released on Monday. To make room for Nido on the roster, the Cubs themselves have DFA’d veteran catcher Yan Gomes.
Nido has been in the Mets organization since the team drafted him in the 8th round back in 2012. He played in 306 games for the Mets at the MLB level, the most being 98 in 2022. This season for New York, Nido played in 32 games for the Mets. During the year, he has been batting .229 with three home runs. To compare, his average is 75 points higher than that of Gomes’ .154 on the year.
Gomes has been with the Cubs since the 2022 season, a year after the Cubs tore the roster down to begin “building the next great Cubs team.” He was a part of some very lean times in Chicago but was a reliable veteran during his time both on and off the field. Just last season, he batted .267 while helping the Cubs almost shock the league and make the playoffs. They missed the cut by just one game.
2024 has shown Father Time’s undefeated streak is alive and well through Gomes’ production. At the plate, not only is his batting average below .200, so is his on-base percentage (.179). Defensively, he has regressed in speed and agility. This was not a light-hearted move to make, but it had to be done.
Many have been vocal about wanting the Cubs to make moves to improve the roster and chances of competing in 2024. This move certainly does that, but perhaps not at the level many hoped for. In the next month, we will know exactly where the Cubs are heading. Hopefully, Nido can help take them in the right direction.