What We Learned: Carlos Gomez and trade rumors confused everyone

After yesterday, most of us are still trying to process exactly what happened. So much information was thrown at us over a short period of time that we are still waiting for all of the dust to settle on this. If you were away from your computer yesterday, let's go through the rundown of how last night played out.

About an hour after yesterday's game against the Giants, rumors began coming out that the Mets were making a big push to acquire Carlos Gomez. They had been seeking a bat for a while, and Gomez would give a nice punch to their lineup. The rumors were flying for an hour, with the Indians entering the conversation for a short time as well. After an hour, the reports were coming out that it was a done deal: The Mets had acquired Carlos Gomez in a trade from the Brewers.

As the reports of the deal came out, people's emotions were running wild. Some people absolutely loved the deal, while others absolutely hated it. It involved an injured pitching prospect in Zack Wheeler, who had the potential to be an ace for the Brewers rotation, and a potential third baseman of the future in Wilmer Flores. Stories began coming out to analyze the trade, such as Noah taking a look at Zack Wheeler.

However, while all of this discussion was happening, something strange was going on. In the Padres-Mets game, Wilmer Flores was still playing and had not come out of the game. He was literally standing at shortstop crying (presumably because he had been informed of the trade), yet remained in the game to play. He eventually was pinch hit for in the ninth inning, but everyone was asking why he was still in the game if he had been traded (and even if he hadn't been, why keep him in if he is that upset).

About two hours after the initial reports came out, and shortly after the Mets game came to an end, new reports began flowing out. The trade had not happened, and the deal was off between the two teams. As far as we knew, the deal was basically done (pending physicals). Carlos Gomez had said goodbye to his teammates on the plane back to Milwaukee, and a photo had even been posted to Instagram. We know Wilmer Flores had been informed based on his reaction in the field. How did it end up breaking down?

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As things began to settle, more reports came out. Apparently it was a medical issue that called the deal off. Immediately, we all jumped to the side of something being off in Wheeler's recovery. There was even a tweet out there from Scott Boras joking that the Mets had sent the wrong MRI. It didn't take long for the truth to come out, though. The Mets cancelled the deal because of a concern with Gomez's hip. While Gomez had missed some time earlier this season with a hip injury, he has sat for a total of one game in the last month. Boras even came out and defended Gomez vigorously, saying that Gomez is injury-free right now and is constantly examined to stay that way. It just added to the whole strange situation that was going on.

Then, this morning, further details came out about why the deal fell through. Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reported that the real reason was more financial than medical. Apparently, the Mets originally wanted the Brewers to take on Juan Lagares and his contract, but when the Brewers refused, they settled on Wilmer Flores. However, they wanted the Brewers 2nd round competitive balance pick instead, and when the Brewers refused that, they wanted the Brewers to take on some of Gomez's salary. For a team who has had a payroll over $140 million in the past, arguing over a few million dollars seems shortsighted.

For now, there is no deal in place. Carlos Gomez is still a Brewer and is expected to play today. There is some concern that the hip issue the Mets mentioned could tank Gomez's value now, and it may be more difficult to trade him. Melvin still plans to do whatever he can to make trades before the deadline, but time is running out now. There's just over a day left until the deadline. If Melvin wants to make a move before it, he will have to work quickly.

Yesterday's Results

Giants 5, Brewers 0

The Brewers did play a baseball game yesterday, though very few people remember that. Unfortunately, there's not much to talk about from it.  Mike Fiers held the Giants scoreless for six innings, then allowed two baserunners to reach in the seventh before being pulled. Will Smith came in and got hit hard, allowing four runs (two charged to Fiers) before he was pulled for Jonathan Broxton. Broxton allowed another run (charged to Smith) before the inning finally came to an end. On offense, the Brewers managed just six hits. Gerardo Parra and Jonathan Lucroy each had two, and Carlos Gomez went 0-for-4 in his final game as a Brewer.

Brewers News & Notes

• Earlier in the day yesterday, another rumor came out that the Astros were looking at Francisco Rodriguez as they were looking for bullpen help.
• Meanwhile, some fans are getting nervous by the lack of action (before yesterday's debacle) by the Brewers. One of them is Nick Michalski of The Brewers Bar, who believes that the Brewers need to lower their asking prices and just make some trades before the deadline.

Minor League Update

NL Central Update

• Reds 1, Cardinals 0
• Pirates 10, Twins 4
• Cubs 3, Rockies 2

Today's Division Games

• Pirates (A.J. Burnett) @ Reds (David Holmberg) - 6:10 pm
• Rockies (Chris Rusin) @ Cardinals (Carlos Martinez) - 6:15 pm

Around Baseball

Roster News

• The Rangers acquired Cole Hamels from the Phillies as part of an eight-player deal. The Rangers are receiving Cole Hamels, Jake Diekman, and cash, while the Phillies are getting Matt Harrison and prospects Jake Thompson, Nick Williams, Jorge Alfaro, Jerad Eickhoff, and Alex Asher.
• The Braves, Dodgers, and Marlins have agreed to a three team, eleven player trade. The deal is not official yet, though. Here are all of the pieces:
  - The Dodgers would receive pitchers Mat Latos, Alex Wood, Jim Johnson, and Luis Alivan, along with outfielder Mike More and infielder Jose Peraza.
  - The Braves would receive infielder Hector Olivera, pitchers Paco Rodriguez and Zach Bird, and a competitive balance draft pick.
  - The Marlins would receive pitchers Kevin Guzman, Jeff Brigham, and Victor Araujo.
• The Cardinals acquired Brandon Moss from the Indians in exchange for LHP prospect Rob Kaminsky.
• The Pirates acquired RHP Joe Blanton from the Royals for cash considerations.
• The Astros designated RHP Roberto Hernandez for assignment.
• The Blue Jays designated LHP Felix Doubront for assignment.
• The Rangers designated LHP Wandy Rodriguez for assignment.
• The Red Sox designated infielder Jemile Weeks for assignment. They also placed outfielder Mookie Betts on the 7-day concussion DL.
• The Yankees designated LHP Chris Capuano for assignment.

Other Notes

• Mark Townsend of Big League Stew reports that, during the Nationals batting practice yesterday at Marlins Park, some "obnoxious noises" were being piped in over the sound system.

Today's Action

The Brewers are back at Miller Park tonight to start a four-game series against the Cubs. In game one, Jimmy Nelson will face Jake Arrieta, and Carlos Gomez will probably get a standing ovation after what happened yesterday. First pitch is at 7:10 pm.