The way things are going for the Mets lately, 2015 seems like a distant memory. If you’re reading this, you already know what happened: a blazing start, a drop back to Earth with a squalid offense, two moves not made at the trade deadline, one move that was and a blistering run to the NL East title and NL Pennant. It’s pretty late in the season right now and more and more, it appears that a repeat of that miraculous August/September run will not be happening. But that doesn’t mean GM Sandy Alderson and company shouldn’t keep trying. Due to other parts of the NL suffering the same malaise as the Mets, they’re still only two-and-a-half games out of the second Wild Card – sort of an afterthought invitation to the dance, but one that would get you into the building, at least. So there’s still a distant chance. To aid that chance along, a funny opportunity has arisen.
As mentioned above, a year ago Alderson feverishly cast about improving the offense. His first big splash was the trade that never was, Wilmer Flores and Zack Wheeler for Carlos Gomez. Didn’t happen. Then early on deadline day, the rumor was that Wheeler would go to Cincinnati for Jay Bruce. Didn’t happen. Finally, Detroit agreed to send Yoenis Cespedes to New York for pitching prospect Michael Fulmer. The rest, as they say, is history. Fast forward to August, 2016. The trade deadline has come and gone and lo and behold, Bruce is patrolling right field. Yesterday, word came down that Gomez has been designated for assignment by the Houston Astros. Gomez is having a horrid year, slashing at .210/.272/.322 clip. With speed and defense as his main stock-in-trade to begin with, he only has 13 steals and the small ballpark in Houston has given him fits this year in center field. He would appear to be done and Met fans all over heaved a sigh of relief and let out a chuckle: sometimes, the best trades…
However, Twitter and talk radio went alight with the suggestion that once Gomez passes waivers, the Mets should scoop him right up. A right-handed bat, who plays center, has good speed and could be that elusive “true” leadoff man? Who’s only owed about a million dollars for the rest of the year? Why not? It could very well be worth the gamble – a real Hail Mary heave to try and save the season and get the Mets into the dance. Besides, you could have all three ’15 Deadline Boys in the outfield on a day in September when Wheeler pitches and Flores plays third.
Baseball is a funny game.
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The Mets have absolutely nothing to loose by signing Carlos Gomez. Jose Reyes might be able to tutor him and get him back to at least being a 260-to-270 ish type of hitter with lots of speed which the Mets severely lack. Carlos would make the MLB league minimum so signing him really is not a big risk for the Mets. There is no way Lagares is going to come back from thumb surgery any time soon so the Mets do need another CF. Nimmo will be good in the future but he is not big league ready yet, and the same can be said for Michael Conforto. The Mets are not going anywhere this year so all money will be on 2017. Harvey and Wheeler should both be at full strength next year. T.J. Rivera might become a really decent infielder/outfielder. I like that this guy puts the bat on the ball, rarely strikes out and plays multiple positions decently. T.J. is a keeper but the Mets have to look for a catcher. d’Arnaud is just not able to throw any one out, and teams are running amok against the Mets. Mazeika and Sano are too far down in the minors to look to them to help the Mets catching department any time soon. I’m think the Mets have to sign a free agent like Kurt Suzuki. Yes. It will probably cost us a prospect but the Mets will get draft pick compensation for whatever team signs Cespedes and Duda. I doubt either of these guys come back to the Mets in 2017.
How is Reyes going to teach him how to hit .270 again when he is only hitting around .237 himself? Maybe he should teach himself first 🙂
Well said Frank from jersey. This team has been done since losing 2 of 4 before the break
In this upside down season where very little makes sense — sure, why not grab a guy with a .594 OPS and a .300 BABIP? Shoot, he’s even got a .792 OPS with RISP!
I liked the line about the ’15 Deadline Boys.
Close, but I believe the correct numbers are 562 OPS with a .260 BABIP and .074 ISO
http://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=4881&position=OF#advanced
I was trying to make a reference to Kelly Johnson, who was hitting utter garbage when we picked him up.
All things considered, I’d like to see:
Loney 1B, Walker 2B (and extended), Cecchini/Rey SS, Rivera/KJ 3B, Rivera/TdA C, Conforto LF, Granny/DeAza CF, Bruce RF
I dont care what line up Collins uses but maybe something like
Walker, Rivera (3B)/KJ, Loney, Bruce, Granny/DeAza, Cheech/Rey, Conforto, Rivera (C)/TdA, P
If we see Ces again, that shakes things up of course, namely by optioning Conforto to LV, and Putting Ces 4 in order
CarIos Gomez is a RHB center fielder. He can breath. I guess it comes down to who do you want on your roster, Ty Kelly or Carlos Gomez. He fills a position of need, can run fast and has some pop. He probably is better than Kelly and Kelly has only played 21 career minor league games in center field. Sure take him, why not?
Lordy, do the Mets stink right now…
What’s next, the bullpen catcher pinch hitting?
That’s not as outrageous as it seems. I almost fell off my chair when I saw Rene Rivera whose only major league skill is defense being utilized as the team’s designated hitter. Holy cow. That’s what it’s come down to.