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MLB Trade Rumors: Brewers’ Carlos Gomez turning into a hot commodity

By Kyle Franzoni

Jul 1, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Milwaukee Brewers center fielder Carlos Gomez (27) slides safely across home during the third inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 1, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Milwaukee Brewers center fielder Carlos Gomez (27) slides safely across home during the third inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports /
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Milwaukee Brewers center fielder Carlos Gomez is drawing a lot of interest as the MLB Trade Deadline approaches

While pitchers may be getting all of the early attention at the MLB Trade Deadline as contenders try to become World Series favorites, the trade market for hitters could be somewhat limited this summer. And that puts Carlos Gomez of the Milwaukee Brewers on the radar for a lot of potential buyers.

Next: 5 MLB teams that could set the trade market

According to Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports, Gomez has become a topic of conversation for many teams, and not only those who are looking to contend in 2015. Teams on the cusp of contending next season are also making calls to the Brewers about their center fielder and are particularly attracted to the fact that he is affordable and under team control for next season as well.

Among those in contention, both the Houston Astros and San Francisco Giants have reportedly reached out to Milwaukee about acquiring Gomez, and the New York Mets are also rumored to be interested, although they may not wish to part with the package required to strike a deal.

Houston would make a ton of sense for Gomez. The team has received lackluster play from center fielder Jake Marisnick and they have been actively looking to add a solid, right-handed bat to their line-up. The Astros have already landed a rental starter in Scott Kazmir and did so by saving their bigger prospect pieces, which sets them up to make a deal with the rebuilding Brewers.

In San Francisco, the team has gotten by on the back of their pitching staff, but has under-performed offensively all season. However, the Giants are also looking to add a front-line starter and may not wish to spend one of their top prospects (Kyle Crick, Tyler Beede, or Keury Mella) on a hitter when Hunter Pence has just returned and Nori Aoki is also said to be coming back soon. However, they may be willing to listen on potentially flipping shortstop prospect Christian Arroyo for help, especially after the development of Joe Panik at second and Brandon Crawford at short.

On the outside looking in, Rosenthal also reports that the Cleveland Indians and Texas Rangers are looking to build for next season and could see a Carlos Gomez trade as a solid addition toward that effort. Michael Brantley has drawn most of the starts in center for Cleveland, although he is a much better left fielder and could easily move over as needed. Texas is in the same situation, using Delino DeShields Jr. as a stop-gap in center while they find a more permanent piece.

That all said, while Gomez does have team control for next season, he is expected to his the free agent market after 2016, making him less of a long-term piece for a building team. He also comes with the prerequisite of having Scott Boras as his agent, which means the chances of a long-term extension are nil for any acquiring team.

Still, he could represent an upgrade for the stretch run and next season for many teams. While he is having a down season playing on a down Milwaukee team, he is still slashing .266/.334/.431 with 8 home runs and 42 RBI. That comes off of a three-year period where he’s been a two-time All-Star with a .277/.336/.483 batting line and an average of 22 home runs, 62 RBI, and 82 runs scored atop the Brewers’ line-up.

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