Contract extension, first full year as a catcher in the majors, his wife having a baby and now a Silver Slugger award winner. Yan Gomes might have sold himself short when saying it was a pretty eventful year.
After becoming the first Indians catcher to outright win a Silver Slugger on Thursday night, Gomes discussed winning the award along with some other offseason topics during a conference call with reporters on Friday.
"To be recognized like that is pretty amazing. It's pretty nice," Gomes said.
Gomes led American League catchers in batting average (.278) and OPS (.785), was second in RBI (74) and third in home runs (21). Victor Martinez won a Silver Slugger in 2004 but he shared it with Ivan Rodriguez.
With Terry Francona putting an emphasis on Gomes' defense and developing the pitching staff, Gomes' offense was often viewed as secondary when it came to his impact on the team. However, over the second half of the season his .303 average was 13th in the league among players with 200 or more plate appearances.
"I definitely got more consistent in my at-bats but with Tito telling me to just worry about my defense it helped me be more relaxed at the plate. Not worrying so much about the hitting part definitely helped out," Gomes said.
After agreeing to an extension thru the 2019 season right before Opening Day and with a baby on the way, Gomes struggled the first five weeks of the season. However, once everything settled down, he was able to get back on track. Besides hitting over .300, Gomes had just three errors after the All-Star break and was a Gold Glove finalist.
Said Gomes about his start to the year: "I was excited and stressed out. The contract coming it usually is the other way around [tend to be more relaxed]. I definitely put more pressure on myself early in the year. My wife and I talked. I just had to tell myself to relax. No matter what happens the contract is going to be there. Just try to enjoy the game the same way I did before."
Among other things Gomes touched on:
On Michael Brantley winning a Silver Slugger and being a finalist for the AL MVP award: "Honestly I'm so friggin' thrilled for Mike. He's had an unreal year. I credit him for me having the year I had. Having him in front of me sets the tone of the lineup and it helped me out a lot."
On Corey Kluber being a Cy Young finalist: "I've been in touch with him a couple times this week talking about how amazing of a year he had. If he doesn't win that would be an upset but he still needs to be thrilled and honored. I think it's a hands down thing for him (to win) especially the way he carried our pitching staff especially after (Justin) Masterson was traded. As the Cy Young talk started to get louder some guys will let the pressure get to him but he stood out and got better."
On seeing division rival Kansas City advance to the World Series: "I was so jealous. After we played them (the last week of the season) I talked to a couple of their players and said they were the team to beat in the playoffs. Just the way they play and an unbelievable bullpen. I felt like it shows we are right there too."
On Francona's extension: "That just shows the commitment the guy has for us. To think he is going to be here through almost all my contract is exciting."
