Going into Wednesday’s play, the Mets were only one game behind the Nationals in the NL East. That close to the top, general manager Sandy Alderson had to make a move and add some punch to a lineup that has scored the fewest runs (353) in MLB.
With several slugging outfielders on the market before Friday’s 4 p.m. ET trade deadline, the chances of the Mets getting a big bat looked pretty good. Justin Upton? Yoenis Cespedes? Jay Bruce? It depended on what Alderson was willing to give up. Would the Mets have to settle for a lesser hitter such as Gerardo Parra or Rajai Davis? Mets fans surely wouldn’t go for that.
But the Mets got their man on Wednesday night, acquiring center fielder Carlos Gomez from the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for pitcher Zack Wheeler and infielder Wilmer Flores.
#Mets gave up Zack Wheeler and Wilmer Flores for Gomez #Brewers
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) July 30, 2015
The 29-year-old’s numbers are down this year, batting .266 with a .761 OPS, 20 doubles, eight home runs and 43 RBI. But Gomez averaged 22 homers during the past three seasons, providing the power that the Mets desperately need. He also provides excellent defense in center field and speed on the basepaths.
And unlike Upton and Cespedes, who are set to be free agents after the season, Gomez is signed through next year at a very affordable $9 million. So Alderson won’t have to worry about hunting for another bat next year or trying to re-sign a new acquistion to a multi-year contract.
The Mets now have an outfield of Michael Conforto, Gomez and Curtis Granderson, with reliable reserves in Kirk Nieuwenheis and Juan Lagares. They get Gomez just in time for a key three-game series with the Nationals this weekend at Citi Field.
Gomez actually began his career with the Mets, who signed him as an amateur free agent in 2002. He was with the organization for six years, appearing in the majors in 2007, before going to the Twins as part of the trade for Johan Santana.
NEW YORK, NY – AUGUST 27: Zack Wheeler #45 of the New York Mets pitches in the first inning against the Atlanta Braves at Citi Field on August 27, 2014 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
Wheeler, just 24 years old, was surely a tough piece for the Mets to give up. (For Alderson, there may be some personal pride in getting him from the Giants for Carlos Beltran four years ago.) Though he’s missing this season after undergoing Tommy John surgery, Wheeler’s 2014 was certainly impressive with a 3.54 ERA and 187 strikeouts in 185.1 innings. He’ll surely become a top-of-the-rotation starter for Milwaukee.
But with a rotation loaded with young pitching, the Mets knew they had to surrender a promising arm to get some offense. With the emergence of Noah Syndergaard and Steven Matz, along with Rafael Montero and still more arms in the minor leagues, Wheeler became expendable — especially when he could be utilized to get a player of Gomez’s caliber.
According to the New York Post‘s Joel Sherman, the Brewers actually wanted Dilson Herrera instead of Flores. But since the Mets had already agreed to give up Wheeler, they refused and offered Flores. (Curiously, Flores remained in Wednesday’s game for the Mets after the deal had been announced.) Only 23 years old, he’ll become the Brewers’ third baseman, taking 14 doubles and 10 home runs to the position, along with a .249 average and .660 OPS.
Sandy Alderson insists “there is no trade. Unfortunately, social media got ahead of the facts.” Says Gomez deal “will not transpire.” #Mets
— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) July 30, 2015
UPDATE: In a truly bizarre development, Mets GM Sandy Alderson told the media after a 7-3 loss to the Padres that this trade isn’t happening. Reports are that the Brewers became nervous about Wheeler’s health, recovering from Tommy John surgery. Yet according to Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal, the Mets decided to pull out of the deal due to concern about Gomez’s hips.
