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Houston Astros: Carlos Gomez Back To His Scuffling Ways

By Yoni Pollak

Jun 7, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Houston Astros center fielder Carlos Gomez (30) falls to the ground after swinging and missing on a pitch by Texas Rangers relief pitcher Sam Dyson (not pictured) during the ninth inning at Globe Life Park in Arlington. The Rangers defeat the Astros 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 7, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Houston Astros center fielder Carlos Gomez (30) falls to the ground after swinging and missing on a pitch by Texas Rangers relief pitcher Sam Dyson (not pictured) during the ninth inning at Globe Life Park in Arlington. The Rangers defeat the Astros 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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Remember when Carlos Gomez was good? June 2016 was the last time we saw a good Gomez. Before then, you pretty much need to go all the way to the 2014 season, where he slashed .284/.356/.477 with 23 HR and 34 SB in 574 at-bats.

The Astros acquired Carlos Gomez in a 2015 deadline deal that saw them lose top prospects Brett Phillips and Josh Hader, MLB’er Domingo Santana and Minor Leaguer Adrian Houser. It was a hefty package, but one that would be worthwhile if the 2014 Gomez showed up in Houston.

However, Gomez’s injuries with the Astros led to a lackluster August and few, albeit strong, September at-bats. Gomez’s .325 average and .991 OPS in 40 September at-bats brought hope to Astros fans that 2016 would be the return of 2014 Gomez.

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Astros appear to be content to let the rest of the league pass them by this offseason /

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    • But the 2016 version of Carlos Gomez has been a huge disappointment. The 30-year old started the season batting .217 with a .516 OPS in 80 April at-bats. As he continued to struggle in May, the Astros put him on the 15-day DL due to

    him being terrible and needing a few weeks off

    a rib injury. He finished May with a .136 average.

    Then June happened and it appeared Gomez may have finally figured it all out. In 84 June at-bats Gomez slashed .286/.362/.452 showing shades of his 2014 self. At that point, center field appeared to be figured out for the rest of the season and maybe for the next few years.

    Unfortunately for Gomez and the Astros, good Gomez has departed and we’re stuck with bad Gomez in July. This month has been another disastrous month with Gomez hitting .169 in 69 at-bats. With the deadline looming, the Astros may be forced to look for help outside the organization.

    Gomez is on the final year of the deal and no one could’ve expected this ending when the Astros acquired him just under a year ago. At the very worst, people expected Gomez to do well enough to be offered the qualifying offer and for him to reject it to receive a long-term deal elsewhere, allowing the Astros to recoup something with a compensatory pick. Instead, it doesn’t even appear as if Gomez will be worth giving a qualifying offer to in fear that he may accept it.

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    I don’t know what the current answer is. With Colby Rasmus in an even worse funk and Jake Marisnick not an offensive threat, the Astros are left with four outfielders, three outfield spots and only one good outfield bat. Alex Bregman and Preston Tucker could help in left field, but center field is still a major concern for the foreseeable future.

    Teoscar Hernandez is one option at AAA Fresno. He’s hitting .329 with a .948 OPS in 21 games since being called up from AA Corpus. However, he’s just 23-years old and the Astros may not want to put so much pressure on their young outfielder in the middle of a playoff race.

    How would you handle the Gomez situation right now? Would you cut costs with him, put Rasmus/Bregman in center and hope it works out? Would you keep giving Gomez everyday at-bats? Would you call up Teoscar Hernandez? GM Jeff Luhnow is a tough pickle on this one.

    Next: How To Deal With The Logjam

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