The Chicago Cubs addressed their catching situation for 2024 by picking up the contract option for Yan Gomes on Sunday, per multiple reports.
Earlier in the day, the Cubs opted to pick up the $16.5 million option on pitcher Kyle Hendricks, bolstering their rotation for next season.
Now, one of the Cubs’ top receivers is set to return on a $6 million salary next season.
Gomes has his best season at the plate since 2021 season as he slashed .267/.315/.408/.723 with 10 home runs and 63 RBI in 116 games. He has traditionally worked in a platoon situation and has played in 100 games in a season just five times in his 12-year career.
His OPS was about 200 points better against left-handed pitching than against right-handed pitching in 2023.
Triggering Gomes’ option gives them a safety net to use in tandem with young catcher Miguel Amaya, who came on as a rookie last season. He played in 53 games and slashed .214/.329/.359/.688 with five home runs and 18 RBI.
Gomes, 36, will be a free agent after the 2024 season and Amaya’s development will be worth tracking as the Cubs determine their catching situation beyond next season.
The Cubs’ top catching prospect is Moises Ballesteros, who is ranked No. 7 by MLB Pipeline and can also play first base. He ended 2023 at Double-A Tennessee and is projected as a 2026 call-up.
Pablo Aliendo is also a Top 30 prospect and plays catcher. He also ended last season at Tennessee, but he appears to be further ahead of Ballesteros, as MLB Pipeline projects him as a potential 2024 call-up.
But, for 2024, the Cubs appear set behind the plate.
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