The New York Mets have been discussing trading Zack Wheeler, and it appears that several teams are interested in the starter.
With the New York Mets‘ season being a sinking disaster, the team’s focus has shifted towards reloading to try and contend next year. While a trade of Noah Syndergaard or Jacob deGrom seems unlikely, other starters have been discussed.
Zack Wheeler’s name has been tossed around as a possible trade option for the Mets in recent weeks. Reports have surfaced that the team’s focus has shifted towards moving either him or Steven Matz, and it seems the team has received some interest around the league involving Wheeler.
Kristie Ackert of the New York Daily News reports that several contending teams have been scouting Wheeler, including the Chicago Cubs, Arizona Diamondbacks, and their crosstown rivals the New York Yankees.
Ackert reports that the Yankees have only mild interest in Wheeler, and ESNY’s Ricky Keeler questions how well Wheeler would fit with the Yankees.
The Diamondbacks, in particular, came away very impressed with Wheeler’s last start and are interested in the 28-year-old. The Cincinnati Reds have also expressed interest and plan to return and watch Wheeler pitch again.
Wheeler entered his start on July 12 with a 4.42 ERA and sporting a 2-6 record. Wheeler was in line with those numbers during his start on Sunday, going 7.2 innings and allowing four runs en route to his third victory of the year.
However, he has pitched better than his numbers suggest, putting up a 3.26 ERA in June. Additionally, his velocity has increased to his pre-Tommy John levels, and he has added a very good splitter to his repertoire.
For his career, Wheeler is 23-29 with a 4.01 ERA (entering play on July 14). He missed all of 2015 and 2016 due to recovery from Tommy John surgery and missed time in 2017 due to injury as well. He was acquired for Carlos Beltran and appeared to be ready to break out before injuries derailed him.
He went 11-11 with a 3.54 ERA in 2014 before suffering a torn UCL. He struck out 9.1 batters per nine innings, a number that he has been unable to reach again since his return to Major League Baseball.
The Mets will be hoping they can get value for him, although it’s fair to question how much value a pitcher with Wheeler’s injury history will bring back. He has one more year of team control after this season.
