SAN DIEGO -- Yan Gomes was headed to the Minor Leagues for Opening Day one year ago, hoping he might get a taste of the big leagues at some point with the Indians. Not only did Gomes get his opportunity, he seized the starting catching job and gave Cleveland one of its best stories from its memorable summer.It did not take Gomes long to convince the Tribe that he is a cornerstone player.That became unquestionably clear on Saturday, when MLB.com confirmed that the Indians had signed Gomes to a six-year, $23 million contract extension, pending the completion of a physical. The deal, which was first reported by Fox Sports, also includes two club options. 
"He's become a force," Indians manager Terry Francona said of Gomes during Spring Training.Upon its fruition, the deal will be the Indians' second long-term agreement struck this spring with a player under club control. At the onset of Spring Training, Cleveland also reached a five-year deal worth $25 million with left fielder Michael Brantley. The Indians have also explored a multi-year pact with All-Star second baseman Jason Kipnis.Indians general manager Chris Antonetti declined comment when asked about the Gomes deal on Saturday evening. While Cleveland has not confirmed the signing, the club is expected to officially announce the extension within the next few days. The Indians may wait to do so until the team returns to Cleveland for its home opener on Friday.Prior to the club options, Gomes' contract would cover two pre-arbitration seasons, three arbitration years and one season of free-agent eligibility.The Indians acquired Gomes, along with utility man Mike Aviles, from the Blue Jays as part of the Nov. 3, 2012, trade for pitcher Esmil Rogers. Gomes opened last season with Triple-A Columbus, but he quickly ascended to Cleveland and earned the starting role behind the plate during the Tribe's second-half push to the postseason.Francona said in the offseason that Gomes would remain the starting catcher this season."They keep me humble, man," Gomes said early in Spring Training. "They're like, 'Hey, it might be a little different this year, but don't take that foot off the gas.' It may be more in the way of responsibility, but I got the feel of that towards the end of the year."In 88 games last season, the 26-year-old Gomes -- the first Brazilian-born player to reach the big leagues -- hit .294 with 11 home runs, 18 doubles and 38 RBIs. Among Major League catchers with at least 275 plate appearances, Gomes ranked third in OPS (.837), trailing only Joe Mauer and Jason Castro.Gomes excelled defensively for Cleveland, too.Among AL catchers with at least 700 innings behind the plate, Gomes ranked first with a 40.8 (20-for-49) caught-stealing percentage, according to Baseball Reference. Cleveland's pitching staff posted a 3.56 ERA in the 710 innings he caught, and he ended the season with just three errors and a .996 fielding percentage.Gomes' rise last season pushed Carlos Santana into the role of backup catcher and into more games as a designated hitter. Over the winter, Santana began a transition to third base, where he is expected to play on Opening Day against the A's on Monday. Cleveland's plan is to also use Santana -- the cleanup hitter -- as the No. 2 catcher to Gomes."He got called up with some injuries," Francona said of Gomes, "but he was able to play enough where we didn't have to send him down. And then he kept catching so well that he started taking over the duties and just ran with it. He made a big difference for us."Jordan Bastian / MLB.com
"He's become a force," Indians manager Terry Francona said of Gomes during Spring Training.Upon its fruition, the deal will be the Indians' second long-term agreement struck this spring with a player under club control. At the onset of Spring Training, Cleveland also reached a five-year deal worth $25 million with left fielder Michael Brantley. The Indians have also explored a multi-year pact with All-Star second baseman Jason Kipnis.Indians general manager Chris Antonetti declined comment when asked about the Gomes deal on Saturday evening. While Cleveland has not confirmed the signing, the club is expected to officially announce the extension within the next few days. The Indians may wait to do so until the team returns to Cleveland for its home opener on Friday.Prior to the club options, Gomes' contract would cover two pre-arbitration seasons, three arbitration years and one season of free-agent eligibility.The Indians acquired Gomes, along with utility man Mike Aviles, from the Blue Jays as part of the Nov. 3, 2012, trade for pitcher Esmil Rogers. Gomes opened last season with Triple-A Columbus, but he quickly ascended to Cleveland and earned the starting role behind the plate during the Tribe's second-half push to the postseason.Francona said in the offseason that Gomes would remain the starting catcher this season."They keep me humble, man," Gomes said early in Spring Training. "They're like, 'Hey, it might be a little different this year, but don't take that foot off the gas.' It may be more in the way of responsibility, but I got the feel of that towards the end of the year."In 88 games last season, the 26-year-old Gomes -- the first Brazilian-born player to reach the big leagues -- hit .294 with 11 home runs, 18 doubles and 38 RBIs. Among Major League catchers with at least 275 plate appearances, Gomes ranked third in OPS (.837), trailing only Joe Mauer and Jason Castro.Gomes excelled defensively for Cleveland, too.Among AL catchers with at least 700 innings behind the plate, Gomes ranked first with a 40.8 (20-for-49) caught-stealing percentage, according to Baseball Reference. Cleveland's pitching staff posted a 3.56 ERA in the 710 innings he caught, and he ended the season with just three errors and a .996 fielding percentage.Gomes' rise last season pushed Carlos Santana into the role of backup catcher and into more games as a designated hitter. Over the winter, Santana began a transition to third base, where he is expected to play on Opening Day against the A's on Monday. Cleveland's plan is to also use Santana -- the cleanup hitter -- as the No. 2 catcher to Gomes."He got called up with some injuries," Francona said of Gomes, "but he was able to play enough where we didn't have to send him down. And then he kept catching so well that he started taking over the duties and just ran with it. He made a big difference for us."Jordan Bastian / MLB.com
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