Mariners: 3 Possible Catcher replacements for Tom Murphy this offseason

Option 2: The Mariners could try and sign Yan Gomes

The Mariners saw a bit of Gomes this season during his time with the Oakland Athletics. Always a solid defender, that part of Gomes game hasn’t slowed down. If anything, he’s using that veteran guile to improve, as the 1.6 dWAR he combined to post this year was the second-highest mark of his career.

He hit better in Washington, slashing .271/.323/.454, before dropping down to .221/.264/.336 with Oakland. Overall, he hit .252/.301/.421 in 2021. The numbers from 2017-2020 show consistency, as he averaged .246/.313/.420 over that time.

Here’s another reason that I want the Mariners to go after Gomes. He’s a good veteran who has been around the block and has been involved in the postseason a handful of times. It’s something that the Mariners need, and who better to get that from than a veteran catcher. Gomes has gone to the postseason five different times (13,16,17,18,19) and played 22 games in total there. He’s also performed while in the postseason, slashing .255/.321/.333.

He’s consistently done well, and it shows why he has been paid well throughout his career. Gomes isn’t going to break the bank, but his $4-$5 million per year is about the floor for what he’s been worth. If the Mariners could get that production from Gomes for something in the neighborhood of 2-$10, then I think they should jump at it.