Cleveland Indians: How the starting catcher role could play out in 2018

The easiest option is to not change a thing.

Yan Gomes and Roberto Perez split playing time in 2017, with Gomes starting in 96 games and Perez starting in the other 66. This was a new high for Perez, while it was the second-best mark in Gomes’ career next to his 129 starts in 2014, his Silver Slugger season.

Both catchers are known for their defense and that remained true in 2017 as Gomes slashed .232/.309/.399, while Perez finished with the marks of .207/.291/.373.

This scenario would involve the team sticking with a similar plan in 2018. Gomes gets more starts, but the rather similar offensive numbers means Terry Francona may decide to ride the hotter bat at times throughout the season.

This strategy didn’t produce great results on offense in 2017, but it does allow both players to remain fresh throughout a long regular season. It is nice to have a catcher start 129 games as Gomes did in 2014, but that may not be best for one’s long-term health.

Perez is under contract through at least 2020 and Gomes is here through at least the 2019 season, so this scenario could continue on beyond 2018.

This isn’t the most flashy scenario, but it could be the one that Terry Francona trusts the most at least at the start of the season.