The Trade Market Heats Up

While we're still waiting to see here the top of free agent class goes, some notable trades were firmed up over the weekend: the Mariners sending Robinson Cano and Edwin Diaz to the Mets; Jean Segura is apparently on his way to the Phillies; and the Indians swap Yan Gomes for Nats pitcher Jefry Rodriguez and a pair of prospects.
Now 31, baseball's first Brazilian-born player -- who grew up in Miami -- has shown good power and an improved eye at the plate. But with the Indians looking to get younger and cheaper while remaining ahead of their weaker AL Central rivals, moving Gomes made sense. He's likely never to be worth more than he is right now, and catchers -- unless your name is Pudge Rodriguez -- tend to age more rapidly than those at other positions. So being locked into $9- and $11 million options for his age 32 and 33 seasons didn't make fiscal sense to Cleveland.
The Nats, who've been hosting a catching carousel in recent seasons, feel Gomes and recent free agent signing Kurt Suzuki can give them good prouction from behind the plate, where they'll catch standouts Max Scherzer and Stephen Strasburg.
(My image of Gomez is from an Indians/Yankees game at Progressive Field in July 2016.)

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