The Minnesota Twins have reportedly emerged as a potential landing spot for former New York Mets right-hander Zack Wheeler.
Will Zack Wheeler to the New York Yankees become a done deal? Maybe not, as another team emerges as a competitor. This week, according to Jon Heyman of MLB Network, the Minnesota Twins have established themselves as a potential landing spot for the veteran pitcher.
The Twins apparently have Wheeler “very high” on their list of potential pitching targets this offseason.
The Twins have Zack Wheeler very high on their list of pitching targets. They are obviously not nearly alone in that regard.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) November 26, 2019
Wheeler recently rejected the New York Mets‘ qualifying offer. This makes him a free agent. They could still ink a long-term deal with him, but that shouldn’t be set in stone. Mets general manager Brodie Van Wagenen recently noted that they wouldn’t be trading right-hander Noah Syndergaard this winter. This brings the chances of retaining Wheeler down a tad bit.
Yankees general manager Brian Cashman noted that the Bombers would be “checking in” on Wheeler. Therefore, there’s a chance he could still end up in the Bronx as well.
Wheeler hasn’t pitched in the major leagues for any team other than the Mets. Through 126 starts across five different seasons, Wheeler has combined for a 44-38 record with a 3.77 ERA and a 1.294 WHIP.
If Wheeler doesn’t return to Queens, the Mets will thus retain four of the five pitchers they ended last season with. New York will most likely head into the new campaign with Syndergaard, Marcus Stroman, Steven Matz, and Jacob deGrom. The latter just won his second consecutive National League Cy Young Award.
