Chicago Cubs catcher Yan Gomes getting better with age
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Yan Gomes will be back for his third year with the Chicago Cubs after the team picked up his $6 million club option this offseason.
The veteran catcher is in Mesa looking to build off a solid year both at and behind the plate.
Gomes' primary responsibility might be handling the Cubs staff, but he was key at the plate last season, hitting over .300 in clutch situations.
At the age of 35 and in his twelfth season, Gomes' 116 games played were the second most in his career.
"Really, all the credit goes to the guys who do the behind-the-scenes stuff with us," he said. "Our hitting coaches and advanced guys put in a ton of effort to let all of us be comfortable in the field."
New manager Craig Counsell understands how important Gomes is to the Cubs' success.
"Experience is valuable," he said. "He's good at it, and he's got a good feel. Creating conviction for the pitchers is a big job of catching. Yan is fabulous at it."
"Every time we start spring training, my biggest goal [with the pitchers] is to get to know each other again," Gomes said. "Let the communication lead the way. When that time comes to go over pitches, that time will come."
It's been an early start for these guys, but pitcher Jameson Taillon has no issue creating a morning buzz for him and his teammates.
He starts the day with a fresh cup of coffee and his favorite barista, himself.
"I started out in the minor leagues," Taillon said. "I had never been into coffee, but I started trying stuff and said, 'You know what there's gotta be something better out there than what I'm drinking.'
"So it kinda started that curiosity of, like, how can I find or make the best cup."
Know for his work on the mall, his teammates also appreciate his brewing skills.
"Yeah, I get orders," he said. "Sometimes, when I start driving in, I'll get a text from a guy saying I need a cup. Save one for me. Some days it's the strength coaches. Some days it's the trainer. Some days it's Justin Steele or whoever is like save one for me.
"So I enjoy it. I think this is gonna sound real nerdy, but there are some parallels to baseball. It's a process, and if you're diligent about your process and you do it the right way, you kinda reap the rewards. So maybe that's why I'm so into it, says Taillon.
So with guys like Taillon and Ian Happ, who is a partner with Connect Roasters, they have some serious coffee connoisseurs in the clubhouse.