Mets back out of agreed-upon trade for Carlos Gomez

The Mets’ trade for Carlos Gomez has fallen apart, Sandy Alderson said.

The trade, which was to send Zack Wheeler and Wilmer Flores to Milwaukee in exchange for Gomez, had been reported by Joel Sherman of The New York Post as being done pending medicals and that information was confirmed by many Mets beat writers, Brewers beat writers, and national writers.

During the game, after Gomez had taken a picture with teammates on the team plane while celebrating the trade, and with reports circulating that the deal was done pending medicals being approved, fans and media began crushing the Mets for not pulling a visibly upset Flores from the game.

However, during his postgame press conference, an irritated Terry Collins told reporters he had no idea anything was going on until Flores was informed of the trade rumors.

Shortly after Collins spoke, Alderson stated on SNY that the trade would not materialize, and reports emerged that the Brewers had backed out due to concerns over Wheeler’s surgically repaired elbow.

However, about 45 minutes later, Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports reported that it was the Mets who backed out of the deal, citing concerns about Gomez’ hip. In June, Gomez missed time due to a hip injury.

Flores, 23, had a .249 batting average with ten homers and forty runs batted in coming into the night. The third year shortstop/second baseman was forced to split playing the two middle infield positions, and was one of the clutchest hitters in the team’s lineup.

Wheeler, 25, is coming off Tommy John surgery and isn’t scheduled to return to the big leagues until June or July 2016.

The 29-year-old Gomez is hitting .262 with 8 homers and 43 RBI in 286 at-bats this season, and is signed through 2016.

Gomez started his career with the Mets, impressing fans with his speed. He is known as one of the best defensive center fielders in baseball.

Thoughts from Danny Abriano:

In all my years of being a Mets fan, this is by far the most bizarre night I’ve ever experienced while watching and covering the team.

The trade for Gomez, which looked like it was a few formalities away from being done, energized the fan base as it had seemingly given the Mets the impact player they desired and the one the fans hoped it would acquire.

After the joy of acquiring Gomez and thinking for a few hours about how he might transform the lineup as the team makes a playoff push, came the painful moment of watching Wilmer Flores cry while out on the field in the eighth inning. Then, after the game ended and Terry Collins was done cursing, it appeared that it was the Brewers who killed the deal. People were angry at Milwaukee, angry because a star player who looked to be a Met had gotten away.

Then, after some reporters had stated it was Milwaukee who backed out, we found out it was the Mets who backed out. It was an incredibly strange, but seemingly fitting end to a crazy night.

Now, with roughly 40 hours to go until the non-waiver trade deadline, the Mets still need a big bat. Go get ’em, Sandy.