Mets reunion with Carlos Gomez unlikely, source says
Carlos Gomez #30 of the Houston Astros singles in a run in the second inning against the New York Yankees at Minute Maid Park on July 27, 2016 in Houston, Texas. Credit: Getty Images / Bob Levey
Could Carlos Gomez end up back on the Mets after all?
Gomez, whom the Mets almost acquired at last year’s trade deadline before the deal with the Brewers fell through and they ended up with Yoenis Cespedes, was designated for assignment by the Astros on Wednesday, meaning Houston has up to 10 days to trade or release him.
The Mets are in need of a righthanded-hitting centerfielder with Juan Lagares on the disabled list after thumb surgery. And Gomez, who started his career with the Mets in 2007, would certainly cost less in a trade than the Mets were prepared to pay last July 29.
Back then, the Mets had agreed to trade Zack Wheeler and Wilmer Flores to Milwaukee for Gomez. Flores cried during the game when he heard about the impending deal. But the Mets’ concerns about Gomez’s hip from the medical reports the teams exchanged scuttled the deal.
The Mets pivoted and traded for Cespedes, who led them to the World Series. Gomez was eventually traded to Houston and homered in the Astros’ wild-card game win over the Yankees.
But this season, Gomez is batting .210 with five home runs and 29 RBIs. The 30-year-old is making $9 million this season and will be a free agent when it ends.
“It’s not a secret that I’m not doing my job, and I’m really disappointed in myself,” Gomez told MLB.com on Wednesday.
According to a source, the Mets are not terribly interested in a reunion with Gomez, who appears to have slipped greatly since his All-Star seasons of 2013 and 2014.
General manager Sandy Alderson declined to comment on Gomez because he is still the property of the Astros.
Reyes starting rehab Thursday
Jose Reyes’ on-again, off-again minor-league rehab assignment is on again.
One day after saying Reyes was still feeling discomfort swinging from the right side, the Mets on Wednesday announced that the 33-year-old will begin a rehab assignment on Thursday night at Brooklyn.
Manager Terry Collins said Reyes, who is coming back from a strained left oblique, is scheduled to play third base on Thursday and shortstop on Friday.
The Mets are without starting shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera, who is recovering from a knee injury. Rookie Matt Reynolds has started most of the games at short in Cabrera’s absence.
Reyes, who returned to the Mets on July 5, has been on the disabled list since July 30. His is batting .239 in 16 games.
Anthony Rieber covers baseball, as well as the NFL, NBA and NHL. He has worked at Newsday since Aug. 31, 1998, and has been in his current position since July 5, 2004.
