The state of the trade market

Some are saying the Mets used Gomez hip as an excuse when the Brewers would not pay part of Gomez salary. So were the reports of a deal pending medicals premature or did the Mets agree to a deal pending medicals and then try to rework the deal/get a better deal and then use the hip as an excuse when that failed? Or is there a hip issue?

When it comes to the Mets anything is possible would not surprise me at all if it became about money. In every deal they've made so far they have gotten the teams that are dealing with to kick in cash so it is not out of character for them to ask and it would not surprise me it that was the actual issue. Now of course they have egg on their face, don't have the big bat they wanted and have let two young players that likely thought they were part of the program that are are expendable. Every player should reLize that of course, but it s another matter entirely when confronted with it so bluntly, as was on display last night to anyone watching Flores' incredibly emotional response to the situation.

When it comes to the Mets anything is possible would not surprise me at all if it became about money. In every deal they've made so far they have gotten the teams that are dealing with to kick in cash so it is not out of character for them to ask and it would not surprise me it that was the actual issue. Now of course they have egg on their face, don't have the big bat they wanted and have let two young players that likely thought they were part of the program that are are expendable. Every player should reLize that of course, but it s another matter entirely when confronted with it so bluntly, as was on display last night to anyone watching Flores' incredibly emotional response to the situation.

Carlos Gomez was only due half of his 8 mil salary this year, and is only due 9 mil next year. So, I doubt it was a money issue. And while the Mets could have handled it better, I'm not sure they have "egg on their face." They were about to trade away a very talented young pitcher for 11/2 years of a player. If they came close to feeling Gomez' hip wasn't kosher, they were smart to keep Wheeler...and Flores. And all players know they're expendable...look at Tulo. As to Flores' reaction, it's part of the travails of making trades in the twitter era. The moment a trade is rumored, the whole country knows. The same goes for when the trade is made. So, while they should have probably kept him out of the game, they certainly couldn't have foreseen Flores weeping in the field...

Texas get Hamels and Diekman

Phills get:

C- Jorge Alfaro
OF Nick Wliams
P Matt Harrison
P Alec Asher
P Jared Eikoff
P Jake Thompson

3 of these prospects were on the most recent updated mlb top 100 prospects list.

Everyone knows who Harrison is. Sad to see him go after working so hard to get back. He was looking like he was healthy and if so just a matter of time before resembling his former self. If he gets back to where he was then a very good pitcher at a much cheaper price. Everyone also knows who Alfaro is. Most everything I have read last couple years said he was one of the top catching prospects if not the top. Some this spring had the Boston catching prospect a little more advanced. But jeez how can you trade a potential quality defensive catcher with power potential playing in the park they do?

The next name that grabs my attention is Nick Williams. Could have been worse. Rumors had Phillies asking for Mazara. But Williams has potential to be good corner OFer with projectible power. Potential for 20-30 a year HR hitter from what I saw watching him at Frisco. I was really high on him. Not surprised to see him included though because Daniels has acknowledged the system's hitting at all levels is too heavy with LH hitters with a shortage of RH power and he has a goal of correcting that. Guess giving up Williams was step one of that.

The 3 pitchers are tougher to evaluate.

I saw Asher at Frisco last year a few times and was not overly impressed. Not terribly upset about him being included as he has historically been a fly ball pitcher. They usually do not fare well at Globe Life park.

http://www.milb.com/player/index.jsp?sid=milb&player_id=594742#/career/R/pitching/2015/ALL

Jake Thompson was obtained via trade last year and Daniels was very high on him at the time. Had good numbers at Frisco after arriving. But seemed to take a step backward after beginning at AA Frisco this year. Scouts rave about his slider though.

http://www.milb.com/player/index.jsp?sid=milb&player_id=622097#/career/R/pitching/2015/ALL

Jerad Eickhoff I saw a couple times on TV while he was at Frisco. Arrived there in 2013 and looked good. Seemed to take a step back in 2014. Had a decent season so far at AAA round rock but again the GO/AO ratio is a bit of a concern.

http://www.milb.com/player/index.jsp?sid=milb&player_id=595191#/career/R/pitching/2015/ALL

So overall as a group the 3 pitchers were probably good choices to let go if you had to trade 3 pitching prospects from the system. Two of the 3 are said to have 95+ heat.

On the money side heard Phillies tossed in 9 mil and they take on Matt's contract. If Matt does not stay healthy or return fully to form that will help. Not sure if that is enough to make me like this trade. Will be watching how Hamels handles the environment here rest of season.

Valen, thanks for your thoughts. As a Phillies fan I was hoping that kicking in the money and taking Harrison's $$ would get us to Mazara. I may be over critical in how I interpreted the analysis from the talking heads but seemed like all of the prospects had flaws that would need to be corrected before they could become mlb regulars.

Not saying it was a bad deal and I'm glad we are strengthening the farm system. Just was hoping for more of a headliner.

You also need to add to the Philly haul whatever they end up doing with the money they saved by trading Hamels.
Nick and Alfaro will probably not contribute until 2017 but would not be surprised to see either of them make an allstar team by 2020. Also if Harrison does not suffer any setbacks would not be surprised to see him making an all star team in the next couple years.

When I first heard about this trade I immediately thought of the Tex trade with Atlanta that helped fuel the two world series runs Rangers had. Only this time it was in reverse.

What can you tell me about the other pitcher the Rangers received. I have never seen him pitch. Does he profile as just a reliever or could he transition to starter if Ranger rotation is still thin next year?

When it comes to the Mets anything is possible would not surprise me at all if it became about money. In every deal they've made so far they have gotten the teams that are dealing with to kick in cash so it is not out of character for them to ask and it would not surprise me it that was the actual issue. Now of course they have egg on their face, don't have the big bat they wanted and have let two young players that likely thought they were part of the program that are are expendable. Every player should reLize that of course, but it s another matter entirely when confronted with it so bluntly, as was on display last night to anyone watching Flores' incredibly emotional response to the situation.

Carlos Gomez was only due half of his 8 mil salary this year, and is only due 9 mil next year. So, I doubt it was a money issue. And while the Mets could have handled it better, I'm not sure they have "egg on their face." They were about to trade away a very talented young pitcher for 11/2 years of a player. If they came close to feeling Gomez' hip wasn't kosher, they were smart to keep Wheeler...and Flores. And all players know they're expendable...look at Tulo. As to Flores' reaction, it's part of the travails of making trades in the twitter era. The moment a trade is rumored, the whole country knows. The same goes for when the trade is made. So, while they should have probably kept him out of the game, they certainly couldn't have foreseen Flores weeping in the field...

Oh oiusly I have no direct knowledge one way or the other but given the Mets budget and spending habits since the Madoff scandal they have been very frugal especially for a large market team. Do we know it was a money issue, nope. Is it possible? Again given their spending of late it should not come as a surprise that said we'll likely never know for sure, but it's because of their behavior in recent seasons that these types of speculations happen.

In fact the Brews GM is now flat out stating that the reason for the deal falling through was Milwaukee refusing to send cash with Gomez to the Mets. So I guess it's who you wanna believe. I'm a Mets fan but their record for honesty lately is 't the most stellar.

As for the"egg on their face" maybe not yet, but if another team acquires Gomez when the Brewers say there is nothing wrong with His hip, the other team agrees, Boras says there is nothing wrong and Gomaez does too hen the egg is definitely there. The Mets fan base has been waiting for management to make a big move and when they were finally on the verge to pull back just gives the impression they aren't willing to spend he money to do so. They could still save face if hey could manage to pick up a big bag in the next 24 hours and all may be forgiven. But if they don't there a large portion of their fan base that will refuse to believe the decision to back out was based on anything but money especially if nothing ever happens to Gomez's hip.

BTW given the performance of Famila since the break they may want add yet another proven arm to the pen (Soria? Chapman?). He blew his third save today in a game that's had quite possibly the oddest and longest rain delayed 9th inning ever.

Gomez and Fiers to Houston, Milwaukee will receive outfielders Brett Phillips, Domingo Santana, right-hander Adrian Houser, and left-hander Josh Hader. At least initially it seems Houston doesn't have a problem with Gomez's hip. We'll see if this one gets finalized, if it does looking like more like egg on the face, than not and the cheap Mets mantra will begin in earnest.

BTW. Houston REALLY going all in.

Deal is official The Astros will also receive slot #76 in the 2015-2016 international pool as part of the trade. Let the flogging in Flushing commence.

Another big win-win trade as the Milwaukee Brewers send Cf Carlos Gomez and Sp Mike Fiers and slot #76 in the 2015-2016 international pool to the Houston Astros for Cf Brett Phillips, Rf Domingo Santana, Lhp Josh Hader, and Rhp Adrian Houser.

For the Brewers they replenish their system and revitalize their future with the following players:

1. Brett Phillips is a 5-tool centerfielder with legitimate 20-20 potential, who was tearing up HiA and AA this year. He won't be the GG ace defender Gomez was, but he has a superior hit tool and doesn't K as much. He should be their starting cf by 2017 opening day.
2. Domingo Santana is a powerful high hr/high k (with 25-30 hr potential) player, who had a cup of coffee with the Astros this year. If he doesn't move Braun back to Lf this year, he will do so next year and take over in Rf.
3. Josh Hader was the Astro's #10 prospect and is a pitchability left-hander who still sits at 93 mph and has done will in AA this year. He profiles more as a back-end rotation, but some see him with #3 potential. He should join the rotation sometime next year, if not this september.
4. Adrian Houser is the least impressive of the four. He throws relatively hard, but has mediocre command, hasn't done that well this year in HiA or AA, but could be back-end rotation material someday.

As to the Astros, Luhnow continues to shine and strengthen his team. Gomez is a huge upgrade over Colby Rasmus and Jake Marisnick in Cf and will be with the team next year as well. Fiers, who has struggled a bit this year, still joins an already impressive rotation of Keuchel, Kazmir, McCuilers Jr., and McHugh...with he, Keuchel, and Kazmir forming a formidable front 3 for the playoffs. And Fiers has years on his clock left.

Before this trade, I'd considered the elite GMs to be Beane, Sabean, Friedman, and Epstein/Hoyer. After these last two trades, and the awesome job he's done rebuilding the Astro's, Luhnow has definitely joined them.

In a smaller deal, Dave Dombrowski continued his re-shaping/re-boot of the disappointing Tigers by sending closer Joakim Soria to Pittsburgh for talented Ss prospect Jacoby Jones. For the Pirates, they stock an already talented bullpen for their playoff run with Soria, who will presumably assume set-up duties for closer Mark Melancon, who is having an outstanding year. Considering Jared Hughes, Rob Scahill, and Tony Watson have also been outstanding, Bucs starting pitchers won't have to go deep in many games as their innings limit (and pitch limits) approaches.

Jones is a big slugging infielder from LSU, who hit 23 hrs last year and was showing impressive slugging skills at HiA this year. He's not a true shortstop, though, and is no threat to supplant Iglesias. However, he is a definite possible replacement for 3b Nick Castellanos, whose hitting tool hasn't developed as hoped. As noted above, this is a nice furthering of Dombrowski's replenishment. After adding talented lhp's Daniel Norris, Matt Boyd, and Jairo Labourt, He's added a young power-hitting infielder who automatically becomes one of their top hitting prospects.