A decade later, Carlos Gomez is a Met again
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Carlos Gómez is a Met again. The Mets made their Minor League deal with Gomez official on Thursday, completing the reunion that fell through four years ago in advance of the 2015 Trade Deadline.
The 33-year-old veteran received an invite to Major League Spring Training, where he can compete for an outfield spot.
"Carlos adds additional depth to our outfield," Mets general manager Brodie Van Wagenen said. "He’s an all-around player who can help offensively, defensively and on the basepaths."
While he does add depth, Gomez might be a longshot to make the big league roster. The Mets have a crowded outfield. Not only are Brandon Nimmo, Michael Conforto, Jeff McNeil, Juan Lagares and Keon Broxton all in the mix, but Gomez will also have to compete with fellow veterans Rajai Davis and Grégor Blanco, who were also brought in on Minor League deals.
Gomez is a two-time All-Star, but he's coming off a down season in 2018 -- he hit .208/.298/.336 with nine home runs and 12 stolen bases in 118 games for the Rays.
He came up with the Mets and made his Major League debut in 2007, but was sent to the Twins that offseason in the trade that brought Johan Santana to New York. The Mets nearly traded for him in 2015, but their deal with the Brewers collapsed and they ended up trading for Yoenis Céspedes, who became a driving force on their run to the World Series, instead.