The Houston Astros are reportedly cutting their losses on outfielder Carlos Gomez.
According to Jake Kaplan of the Houston Chronicle, Gomez confirmed the team designated him for assignment Wednesday night. The Astros then made it official, announcing right-hander Jandel Gustave will take Gomez’s spot on the 25-man roster.
“It’s not a secret that I’m not doing my job, and I’m really disappointed in myself,” Gomez said, per MLB.com’s Brian McTaggart.
He also spoke positively about the Astros, per Kaplan: “I know I didn’t do my best. I wish the best to them. They have a great team and organization.”
In one of the biggest deals at the trade deadline last year, Houston acquired Gomez and right-hander Mike Fiers from the Milwaukee Brewers. It was an aggressive move for the Astros, who were contending ahead of schedule.
A little over a year later, Gomez has been a massive disappointment. An All-Star in 2013 and 2014, the 30-year-old has the third-worst WAR (-0.4) on the team this year among position players with at least 100 plate appearances, per FanGraphs. To say he isn’t the player he was with the Brewers would be a understatement:
MLB Network’s Brian Kenny didn’t disagree with Houston’s decision to DFA the veteran outfielder:
The New York Mets originally had a deal in place for Gomez last July, but health concerns led the Mets to pull out of the trade according to the Journal Sentinel‘s Tom Haudricourt. MLB.com’s Mike Petriello figures those who pushed New York to cancel the deal are looking better and better:
Despite his struggles, Gomez is likely to have some interest throughout the league. A contending team could see him as a high-risk, high-reward signing for the stretch run.
Only two years ago, Gomez finished 16th in the National League MVP voting. While he may never be that player again, he could still have a few more solid offensive seasons ahead as long as he can stay healthy.
Gomez’s departure will almost certainly mean Jake Marisnick becomes the full-time center fielder in Houston, with Preston Tucker the likeliest candidate to take over for Marisnick in left.
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