The New York Mets have officially lost their top free agent, Zack Wheeler. To make things worse, he’s signed with the Philadelphia Phillies.
According to Jeff Passan of ESPN, New York Mets’ free-agent Zack Wheeler is signing with the Philadelphia Phillies. The Phillies gave Wheeler a five-year, $118-million contract.
Staying in the NL East. ?
Phillies, Zack Wheeler reportedly agree to 5-year, $118M deal, per @JeffPassan. https://t.co/TBX4y2CkKc pic.twitter.com/InP7wmFguL
— MLB (@MLB) December 4, 2019
Mets fans had to know this was coming. News came out a few days ago that the team was operating with a budget. Considering Wheeler’s salary alone would have put the New York Mets over the luxury tax, it’s easy to see why he isn’t a Met.
Wheeler also made it clear he wanted to stay with the organization. He circled back to the Mets after receiving his offer from the Phillies. However, the New York Mets never made an offer to Wheeler.
Can confirm, Zack Wheeler to the Phillies. The Mets did not make an offer, but Wheeler’s camp circled back before taking Philly’s offer.
— Mike Puma (@NYPost_Mets) December 4, 2019
Don’t worry Mets’ fans; you aren’t the only ones who see this as an issue. At Wednesday’s annual New York Mets’ Christmas party, J.D. Davis offered up a straightforward comment.
J.D. Davis on Zack Wheeler: “If he goes to Philly that is a little problematic.”
— Mike Puma (@NYPost_Mets) December 4, 2019
Everyone seemed to know that Wheeler leaving New York was an issue except the people in charge. Now the Mets will have to deal with Wheeler multiple times a year. He’ll also be propelling a division rival in what is expected to be a tight and furious fight for the NL East.
With this move, the Mets have fallen to a clear fourth place in the NL East race. It’s hard to see them competing against the stacked Nationals, Brave, and Phillies rosters, especially since the team is refusing to spend the money necessary to do so.
However, this is good for Wheeler. He gets paid what he deserves. He beat out the AAV that Patrick Corbin got the last offseason—something few thought would happen.
Zack Wheeler has a bright future ahead of him. He was already a top-10 pitcher in baseball over the past two seasons. Now that he’ll be playing with J.T. Realmuto, one of the best catchers in baseball. It’s hard to see how he doesn’t become one of the most dominant forces in the game. It’s too bad that he won’t be doing that for the New York Mets.
