With the non-waiver deadline fast approaching, MLB teams are scrambling to fill their rosters with the most suitable players in an effort to gain an advantage in the upcoming season. Among the major league's aggressively acquiring and trading players left and right are the New York Mets.
Earlier this week, reports surfaced regarding the almost sealed deal between the Mets and the Milwaukee Brewers. According to Joel Sheerman of New York Daily News, the New York team has been keenly pursuing Carlos Gomez. In exchange, Zach Wheeler and Wilmer Flores will be traded to the Brewers.
In what appears to be a last-minute change of plans, however, the deal failed to take off and the centerfielder is now confirmed to have been taken in by the Houston Astros instead. Citing fears of Gomez's unstable physical condition, the Mets refused to divulge further details regarding the breakdown of the deal. The news of the trade's collapse was broken by the Milwaukee team's general manager himself, Doug Melvin.
The reason mentioned though was immediately slammed by the center fielder's agent, Scott Boras, refuting claims that a "hip issue" is of any concern as the former Brewers star never encountered any problem with it throughout his baseball career. Gomez's professional record shows his hitting performance at .262/.328/.424. The two-time All-Star athlete achieved eight home runs and 20 doubles throughout 74 games for the Brewers this MLB season.
"He's in first-class physical condition without issue," Boras clarified, according to ESPN. He added, "We monitor our players closely. If there was ever an issue with him, we would have him seen by experts in a particular area. He has not been seen by any outside physicians this year. Other than a hamstring issue, he's been in great physical health. He plans on playing in the big leagues for the next 15 years."
Boras went on to slam the confusing situation, disclosing that the medical records were reviewed by experts from Texas. He shared that no issue was pointed out to him and his client during the evaluation. Unable to hide his frustration, Boras went on to say, "Apparently, a few New York doctors viewed the reports as 'cheesehead medicine.'"
Sandy Alderson, the general manager of the Mets, refused to engage on further debate regarding the issue and opted to reiterate the reason the team cited for backing out from the deal to acquire Gomez. "Our doctors thought the health risk was too great; Houston's doctors apparently feel otherwise," the GM stated, according to The New York Times. Alderson added, "End of story."
