During their game against the Padres tonight, the New York Mets have acquired a former friend in outfielder Carlos Gomez. Or did they?
By Robby Sabo
Say goodbye to Wilmer Flores and Zack Wheeler.
Say hello to your former friend, a man who began his career with the New York Mets, Carlos Gomez. Sandy Alderson has officially delivered.
Alderson has acquired the 29-year old, two-time MLB All-Star from the Milwaukee Brewers for Flores and Wheeler (pending physicals and further investigation surrounding Wheeler’s condition), sources told ESPN tonight. He’s hit .266 with eight home runs and 43 runs batted in during during 73 games in 2015.
He’ll also be immediately inserted into the lead-off spot in Terry Collins’ lineup which will allow Curtis Granderson to slide down a bit. While he still has the legs Mets fans were accustomed to witness while he was a Met (2007), his seven stolen bases this season is considerably down in comparison to his 34 from a season ago.
BREAKING: Mets acquire Carlos Gómez from Brewers in exchange for Zack Wheeler & Wilmer Flores. (via multiple reports) pic.twitter.com/C65gcMOMTe
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) July 30, 2015
.@Mets to acquire OF Carlos Gomez from @Brewers for RHP Zack Wheeler, INF Wilmer Flores. Clubs have not confirmed. pic.twitter.com/wnSPHhTO3z
— MLB (@MLB) July 30, 2015
Gomez is signed through the 2016 season for which he will earn $9 million annually.
The news came down during the Mets 7-3 loss to the San Diego Padres tonight, which created a strange and painful situation for Flores, who started at shortstop and learned of the deal midway through the game.
Surreal scene. Mets trade Wilmer Flores but leave him in game. Flores then cries on field while playing. pic.twitter.com/0CDpjGpwpS
— Jimmy Traina (@JimmyTraina) July 30, 2015
In any event, Mets fans need to be completely ecstatic about this news. Not only does this provide the lineup with the leadoff hitter they haven’t possessed since Jose Reyes left town, but it gives them pop from the right side of the plate.
He’ll immediately help this team overcome their lackluster station to station, situational hitting and baserunning.
From completely hopeless a week ago, these Mets have now acquired Tyler Clippard, Juan Uribe, Kelly Johnson and Gomez.
Watch out Bryce Harper and the Washington Nationals, these Mets might have a run in them.
UPDATE:
Following the Mets 7-3 loss to the Padres, both Flores and Alderson told reporters that this trade is not going to happen.
Flores first spoke with reporters, forcing everybody to feel bad for the kid (as he looked to be in denial). But then, the boss-man spoke to the media and proclaimed that no deal for Gomez was done and nothing will happen.
“There is no trade”
“Has not and will not transpire” —Sandy pic.twitter.com/XU1lbgORIs
— SportsNet New York (@SNYtv) July 30, 2015
sandy alderson says there is no mets deal and will not be one. "there is no trade … it will not transpire." strange day.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) July 30, 2015
ESPN was sure to amend their previous report immediately:
UPDATE: Mets GM Sandy Alderson says, "there is no trade. A trade has not and will not transpire."
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) July 30, 2015
Stay tuned. You too Wilmer.
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