Why the New York Mets Should Pursue Carlos Gomez Before Friday's Trade Deadline

With Friday's MLB trade deadline looming, the New York Mets appear committed to improving their roster in an effort to secure their first playoff appearance since 2006.

While he acquired Kelly Johnson and Juan Uribe from the Atlanta Braves on Friday, general manager Sandy Alderson is still looking for trade pieces that can help the team.

On Monday, Jon Heyman of CBS Sports tweeted that the Mets and Oakland Athletics have worked out a deal that would send reliever Tyler Clippard to New York.

Clippard has value to the Mets because late-inning reliever Jenrry Mejia—as part of his 80-game PED suspension—will not be available for the postseason if they get that far. Meanwhile, Bobby Parnell has been the main setup man out of the bullpen since being activated from the DL last month, and though he's done a solid job, last Wednesday's nightmare of an eighth inning against the Washington Nationals was enough reason for the Mets to look for help in that area.

But New York's biggest weakness is still the offense, which is why Milwaukee Brewers center fielder Carlos Gomez should be its No. 1 target in the coming days.

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Anthony DiComo of MLB.com tweeted that acquiring Clippard would not interfere with New York's plan of adding an outfielder.

Rosenthal reported on Saturday that the Mets have inquired about Ben Zobrist and Jay Bruce in trade talks. On Monday, he noted that Gomez is garnering interest from the Texas Rangers and Cleveland Indians.

If the 45-52 Indians and 47-50 Rangers are asking about Gomez, there's no reason why the Mets—who are two games behind the division-leading Nationals and 3.5 back of the San Francisco Giants for the second wild card spot entering play Monday—shouldn't actively pursue the stud outfielder.

Gomez, of course, came up through the Mets farm system and made his big league debut with the team in 2007 before they sent him to the Minnesota Twins as part of a package for Johan Santana.

He endured two poor seasons in the Twin Cities, prompting Minnesota to ship him to Milwaukee in exchange for J.J. Hardy in 2010. After being traded for a second time, Gomez has finally fulfilled his five-tool potential, making two All-Star teams and winning a Gold Glove.

Now, the team that signed him as a 16-year-old out of the Dominican Republic has to bring him back to the place where he began his career.

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Not only is he a better player than Zobrist and Bruce, but Gomez is also a better fit for the Mets. 

The outfielder is signed through 2016 and is owed a modest $9 million next year, per Rosenthal, so he'll be more than just a rental. After that, the Mets can try to re-sign him if they so wish.

Zobrist can handle the corner outfield spots, as well as second base, while Bruce has mostly played right field throughout his career, but the Mets don't need another corner outfielder right now.

Right fielder Curtis Granderson isn't losing his starting job and the Mets just called up 2014 first-round pick Michael Conforto to play left field at least until Michael Cuddyer returns from the DL—maybe longer depending on how he performs.

The outfield position that's really hurting—quite literally, actually—is center field.

Juan Lagares won a Gold Glove last season and also proved that he can handle the bat pretty well, hitting .281 on the year. But 2015 has been a struggle, in large part due to right elbow discomfort that may require Tommy John surgery, per Mike Puma of the New York Post.

He's having a rough time in the box, hitting a paltry .254 with a .279 OBP and .610 OPS, but his declining defense has been more alarming.

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Over the last couple of seasons, Lagares has developed a reputation as someone opponents shouldn't run on, but because of the balky elbow, baserunners have been taking the extra base on him with frequency. Though it's seemingly unrelated to the injury, he hasn't displayed the same range that won him a Gold Glove, failing to haul in difficult—but catchable—fly balls he would have run down in the past.

The Mets need to put Lagares on the DL and get the injury sorted out. The problem is, they don't have anyone to admirably fill in for him.

Kirk Nieuwenhuis has been better of late—highlighted by a three-homer game before the All-Star break and a 4-for-4 performance on Saturday—but there's a reason he's been designated for assignment twice this season, once by the Mets and once by the Los Angeles Angels.

By trading for Gomez, the Mets can get Lagares' elbow problem resolved—even if he needs Tommy John surgery, he can take his time getting healthy in 2016 as Gomez is under contract through next year—without having to worry about the center field defense suffering:

New York's dreadful offense—29th in the league entering play Monday with 349 runs scored—is what's ultimately holding it back right now, and Gomez's presence would change the dynamic of the lineup.

His slashline—.266/.334/.431—entering Monday and power numbers—eight home runs—are down from the last couple of years, but he's still a force at the plate.

Despite only stealing seven bases so far this season—he stole 30-plus each season from 2012 to 2014—he's still a threat on the base paths, something the Mets are in dire need of. 

Furthermore, Gomez can be inserted into the leadoff spot and allow the Mets to bat Granderson—who is tied for the team lead with 14 home runs—lower in the order, maximizing his ability to drive in runs. Leading off for the Mets for most of the season, 12 of Granderson's 14 long balls have been solo shots, so having him in the middle of the order will increase his opportunities with men on base.

By calling up Conforto and acquiring Uribe and Johnson, the Mets have more talent on their roster than they did a week ago. But Gomez would immediately become New York's most feared hitter.

Considering that catcher Travis d'Arnaud is playing in rehab games and captain David Wright has been cleared to begin baseball activity, according to Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com, the Mets could have a really deep lineup down the stretch. 

Gomez is the piece that will put them over the top and not only help the Mets get to the postseason but also make a legitimate run in October.

Last week, Marc Carig of Newsday reported that the Mets believe they can get something back for prospects Michael Fulmer, Gavin Cecchini and Brancon Nimmo. 

It's unclear what it would take to pull off a trade for Gomez, but Alderson needs to give Brewers general manager Doug Melvin a call and figure out a way to land Gomez.

The 29-year-old center fielder will turn the Mets into a complete ball club that can seriously contend for a pennant.