Bizarre Scenario Unfolds As Mets' Reported Trade For Carlos Gomez Falls Through
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Huh? Come again?
Just when it looked like Carlos Gomez was coming back to Queens, something scuttled the deal.
Initially, several reports Wednesday night stated the Mets had agreed to a trade with the Brewers that would have sent right-hander Zack Wheeler and infielder Wilmer Flores to Milwaukee for Gomez, a two-time All-Star outfielder.
The belief was the deal was contingent on Wheeler passing a physical. The 25-year-old right-hander has missed the entire season due to Tommy John surgery, but on Monday played catch for the first time since going under the knife back in March. He reportedly could be ready by June or July of 2016.
But then during the Mets' 7-3 loss to the San Diego Padres at Citi Field, general manager Sandy Alderson went on SNY and said the deal "has not and will not transpire." Alderson did not elaborate, but did apologize to Flores, who stayed in the game for several innings and was seen tearing up on camera.
"I haven't spoken to anyone but Wilmer, who was sort of at ground zero of this," Alderson said.
So, as was the case before this odd scenario played out, the Mets are still in need of a legitimate bat, and will likely continue to pursue one before Friday's 4 p.m. trade deadline.
Gomez broke into the majors with the Mets in 2007 and played in 58 games before he was traded in February of the following year to Minnesota in the deal that brought left-hander Johan Santana to New York.
The 29-year-old outfielder eventually ended up in Milwaukee and developed into more of a power hitter, belting 24 homers in 2013 and 23 in 2014. He hit .284 and drove in 73 runs both seasons.
Gomez, who will earn $9 million in 2016, is hitting .262 with eight homers and 43 RBIs in 74 games this season for Milwaukee.
The Mets are two games out of first place in the NL East, despite being one of the worst offensive teams in baseball. Perhaps sensing that an infusion of veterans could jump-start a team loaded with good, young starting pitching, Alderson got busy on Friday, trading a pair of minor leaguers to Atlanta for infielders Kelly Johnson and Juan Uribe.
Alderson then augmented the back end of his bullpen, acquiring two-time All-Star Tyler Clippard from Oakland for a low-level prospect.
