Gomez, Hamels join deadline trade parade

The Houston Astros on Wednesday added another big bat to their lineup as they make a push for the postseason by acquiring two-time All-Star outfielder Carlos Gomez from the Milwaukee Brewers.

In another blockbuster ahead of MLB's Friday trade deadline, the Philadelphia Phillies swapped ace left-hander Cole Hamels to the Texas Rangers for a package of prospects.

In their deal with the Brewers, Houston also received right-hander Mike Fiers and sent four prospects: left-hander Josh Hader, right-hander Adrian Houser and outfielders Brett Phillips and Domingo Santana.

"This was a move with an eye toward this year, next year and the year after that, more so than five or seven years from now," Houston GM Jeff Luhnow said. "That's what our fans want. They want us to win."

Milwaukee general manager Doug Melvin said a Tuesday trade that would have sent Gomez to the New York Mets for infielder Wilmer Flores and injured pitcher Zack Wheeler fell through.

When Gomez was called into the manager's office by the Brewers on Wednesday, he thought it was to explain to him what happened the day before.

"But they told me: 'No, you've been traded,'" he said. "And I say: 'Is this going for like two or three hours or is this the real one?' So I was laughing a little bit. But they said no, it's true you've been traded to the Houston Astros."

Houston's move came a week after the Astros obtained top starter Scott Kazmir from the Oakland Athletics. Seeking its first postseason appearance since 2005, the Astros entered Thursday with a one-game lead in the AL West.

The 29-year-old Gomez is hitting .262 with eight homers and 43 RBIs in 74 games for the Brewers this season. He is making $8 million this season and $9 million in 2016, then can become a free agent.

Gomez, who won a Gold Glove in 2013, is a nine-year veteran coming off a career-best season last year, when he hit .284 with 34 doubles, 23 homers, 73 RBIs and 34 steals.

Gomez and the Angels' Mike Trout are the only players with at least 100 steals and 50 home runs over the last four seasons.

Hamels became the first pitcher in major league history traded during a season immediately after throwing a no-hitter - he no-hit the Chicago Cubs last Saturday at Wrigley Field.

"He's definitely a great pitcher," Rangers first baseman Mitch Moreland said after Texas beat the New York Yankees 5-2 on Wednesday.

"We obviously watched the no-hitter the other day, pretty impressive. He's got a long track record of great success. This is huge for us."

The 2008 World Series MVP was an integral part of the greatest run in franchise history when the Phillies won five straight NL East titles, two pennants and one World Series from 2007-11.

"He's been here a long time, but that's baseball," Phillies catcher Carlos Ruiz said. "Definitely it's sad when you're around one of your teammates for a long time and then they have to go away."

The rebuilding Phillies, an MLB-worst 38-64, traded All-Star closer Jonathan Papelbon to Washington on Tuesday. Both players made it clear they wanted to play for contenders.

(China Daily 08/01/2015 page12)