November 26, 2007

Are The Mets Rushing Gomez?

From Ed Ryan at Mets Fever (Networ Member):


John Sickel at Minor League Ball takes a look at the Mets handling of Carlos Gomez and the long term implications. He refers to the Mets talking about using Gomez in the everyday line-up this season, I'm not sure if he means us fans or the actual organization. This would indicate that if Milledge left in a trade Gomez would be the right fielder, I had always assumed that if Milledge was traded either Johnson or a free agent would play right. I would agree that putting Gomez in the everyday lineup in "08" would be rushing him, Sickel is looking for comments on the subject for anyone who is a member of his site.....
I don't like the way the Mets have handled their prospects lately. Carlos Gomez was badly, BADLY rushed, and they have pushed Fernando Martinez and Deolis Guerra much too quickly in my opinion. Carlos Gomez had no business in the majors last year. He's a remarkable athlete with plus speed, a great glove, and offensive potential. But his bat is unrefined. His plate discipline is poor, his power is undeveloped, and he needs regular playing time get his swing in gear and work these issues out. Regular playing time in Double-A and Triple-A, not in the majors. Sticking him in the regular lineup in '08, like the Mets are talking about, is a huge risk for his long-term development, and an unnecessary one. The Mets are hardly strapped for resources, and putting this guy in the lineup seems pointless to me. Surely then can find a decent stopgap veteran, or even someone trapped in Triple A with another team. Normally I'm all in favor of playing the kids, but I want to play kids who are ready. Gomez isn't ready. Maybe I'm wrong, and if he has a great year I'll gladly admit it. But right now he's a .240 hitter, with no power and a weak on-base percentage. The only things he does well right now are field and steal bases, and you can find guys who do that. Why risk Gomez's career? And why bust his service time? It makes no sense to me at all. Grade B because of his long-term potential.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

gomez is probably the most ready for the majors besides milledge and theydont have a whole lot of options

Anonymous said...

he still nedds atleast another season in AAA

Anonymous said...

he has shown glimpses of greatness in the field but his bat still needs work