The Milwaukee Brewers (6-18) are the worst team in the MLB as they continue their epic slide from the 2014 season. If the losing trend continues at this rate through the month of May, could the team opt to trade one or more of their top stars?
Joel Sherman of the New York Post suggested the Brewers "may quickly become sellers" and "other clubs are focusing on Milwaukee becoming the first willing seller in the trade market." Owner Mark Attanasio previously said the jobs of general manager Doug Melvin and manager Ron Roenicke are safe, but he said nothing of the team's players.
While rumors indicate the Brewers could look to deal a majority of notable names such as Ryan Braun, Jonathan Broxton, Aramis Ramirez, Kyle Lohse, Gerardo Parra and Adam Lind, it's possible their best player could be dangled in trade talks.
"The most interesting Brewer, though, would be Carlos Gomez," writes Sherman. "He is signed through next year ($9 million) and if the Brewers think they are looking at a long rebuild and are unlikely to extend the center fielder, now may be the best time to get the biggest return for the former Met."
Jon Heyman of CBS Sports speculates the same, based on rumors he has heard, although he suggests Gomez could be on the fence in terms of availability.
"...GM Doug Melvin recently said, at some point retooling may be necessary," Heyman wrote on Friday. "They may be getting closer to that point, at 5-17. One rival exec gave his list of marketable Brewers: Carlos Gomez, Khris Davis, Jean Segura, Gerardo Parra, Kyle Lohse, Francisco Rodriguez. That exec saw Jonathan Lucroy as likely untouchable (Gomez may be too) and thought Matt Garza and Ryan Braun may be overpriced at this point."
Gomez was activated from the disabled list on Saturday after being sidelined since Apr. 16 with a strained right hamstring. He returned against the Chicago Cubs and went 1-for-3 with a run scored, an RBI and two stolen bases to help the club to a 6-1 victory. Prior to hitting the DL, Gomez was batting .235/.257/.441 with three runs scored, one home run and six RBIs in eight games.
A trade isn't likely to go down anytime soon, especially for a big name such as Gomez because that would mean another MLB club is looking make a significant change very early in the season, but one can't help but think the Texas Rangers, Chicago White Sox and Toronto Blue Jays are considering a move for a new centerfielder as the season progresses. Leonys Martin, Adam Eaton and Dalton Pompey had a month to forget and their respective clubs did not get off to the kind of start they'd hoped to.
Keep an eye on Gomez over the next few months, especially if the Brewers continue to remain in the basement of the National League.
