Mets righty Zack Wheeler has “drawn some inquiries” in trade talks, according to James Wagner of the New York Times (Twitter link). It’s not clear at this point how serious the interest is.
There’s no specific indication that the Mets are particularly willing to move Wheeler, but the club indicated yesterday that it would at least entertain offers for its best pitchers. If Jacob deGrom and Noah Syndergaard are both potentially available, it stands to reason that the Mets’ front office wouldn’t hang up on callers inquiring on Wheeler.
Clearly, Wheeler isn’t going to draw the kind of offers that the Mets’ top hurlers will. But he’s an interesting arm in his own right. The former sixth overall draft choice has been through a lot in recent seasons, but is finally rounding into form right as the deadline approaches.
Wheeler missed two full seasons as he struggled to make it back from Tommy John surgery, then turned in 17 middling starts last year. He owns only a 4.47 ERA in his 88 2/3 innings over 15 outings thus far in 2018, but the peripherals are much more promising. Wheeler has retired 8.7 batters per nine via strikeout while issuing 3.3 walks per nine, with ERA estimators viewing him as a solid performer (3.66 FIP, 4.01 xFIP, 4.01 SIERA) over the first half of the season.
The signs have pointed up of late. As Wagner notes, Wheeler carries a 3.38 ERA through his past eight starts. And his fastball velocity has steadily trended up over the course of the season, with Wheeler sitting at 97 most recently. With a meager $1.9MM salary, the hurler comes plenty cheap. And he can be retained for another campaign via arbitration.
Despite the encouraging signs, it’s still hard to imagine that rival teams will be willing to stake their best prospect assets on a pitcher whose recent past includes so many questions. On the other side of the equation, the Mets have little reason to dump Wheeler for whatever they can get. If the offers aren’t sufficient, the club will happily allow him a chance to fill innings and build value. After all, Wheeler could certainly still be a worthwhile offseason trade candidate or 2019 rotation piece for the Mets.
honestly hasn’t been noticed but he looks like he did before Tommy John
27…
lmao, omg, the best ever post I’ve ever read!!
thanx, I needed that!!
You needed what? He’d be the Yankees #2 right now
What? Tampa Yankees #2 maybe. Idk what stats you’re looking at bud
Really? Better than Tanaka or Sabathia?
Tanaka’s on the DL.Sabathia’s outperforming peripherals. I won’t say he’d be the #2 but it’s a lot closer than it sounds.
“omg, the best ever post I’ve ever read!!” (sic)
If true, you need to get out more.
He probably gets out to much instead of reading interesting comments.
your username fits your posts
that was for you major flaw!
I agree 100% with you Eileen. That happens to people that ignore reality and support hopeless franchises.
“Your username fits your posts”
That’s really clever. Been using this same UN for the past twenty years and you’re the first person to figure out that some sarcasm can be attached. In twenty years it never occurred to me. And, of course, countless dull trolls haven’t drawn my attention to that very fact for twenty years (and counting.) You must be so proud.
“That was for you major flaw!”
Only one ! This time? Thanks for pointing out the obvious though, appears to be a specialty. Well, that and content-free, back-slapping jocularity from a relative newbie. Thinking our paths have crossed before, although not here. Cheers.
Lol you took this way too personally. Try again because you definitely don’t look like the better person here. Cheers mate
You’re embarrassing lmao
Not to point out the obvious point that you’re American and have just seen the latest Ricky Gervais stand up on Netflix, explaining why you think you’re smart and also explaining why you think the word cheers is part of your vocabulary now, cheers. Been on the internet for 20 years, you’re a veteran, please retire for everyone’s sake.
Y’all don’t know even know each other. Why even use the energy to be nasty to each other.
You are the awesome one, no one is higher than you, literally
Hey Flaw…you’ve been using your UN for 20 years and we should have noticed?
In what tablet? A blackboard and chalk? Just more stupidity. I mean the iPhone turned 10 and Al Gore invented the internet. So what, you invented this site and app?
And it’s a bit dopey to brag about such a UN…in view of the potential for criticism you walk around with a huge bulls eye on your back.
Your insight reflects your UN. Very funny. And leave new posters alone you know it all.
Let’s get back to baseball!
yoyo, you are a sweetheart
and I ❤❤❤❤❤
lmao, my thoughts exactly
Mikeyankee55 and Yoyo are real men, thank you guys, that is what I call an awesome post!
❤❤❤❤❤⚾️⚾️⚾️
Go Yanks
Charlie xoxo
Mikey, can you believe how they treat a woman newbie
You are the real fan here.
thank you again
“Can you believe how they treat a woman newbie”
Anyone can be anything on the internets. And once again a content-free, cheerleading post with a wee touch of drama. Buddying up with known trolls doesn’t help any of you, “Ma’am.” Let’s see how long this act lasts.
Mets should hold on to him. They’re not going to get the package they’d like for him. He still has potential to be a solid 3 or 4 if he can continue the way he’s pitched recently and avoid injuries.
The Mets just can’t hold on to every pitcher that can bring prospects back, because they need a rebuild now.
Mets should try and extend. He should be relatively cheap and could potentially add some trade value if they wanna dump him next year. You have to take the injury risk into consideration but he looks like the pitcher of old.
I don’t think Wheeler is looking to sell himself short. If he pitches well these next 18 months he’s in for a big pay day.
On the other side of the coin, if he gets hurt again he doesn’t get paid.
I see it Padam’s way. You won’t get much for him now so if he gets injured again you haven’t lost much. At this point the risk is worth the reward.
I hope the Giants get him back. Ideally for a bottle of whiskey and a pack of smokes. I don’t know how much room they have, but would love to get him for the next couple seasons.
I wouldn’t mind him back on the Giants, maybe the Mets would take Samardijia LOL.
That was obviously a joke for those who don’t get those types of things. Wish the Giants could find someone dumb enough to take Samardijia.
You should refer to him as Shark since you don’t seem to be able to spell Samardzija.
“Samardzija” you happy now??? I don’t lose any sleep over it I’m sorry if you do. I refuse to call him shark, shark is a nickname he should get if he pitches well not because of the way he looks.
Hope this makes you feel better.
Fred and Jeff are at war. Fred want the team to simply dump salaries. Jeff thinks they are one or two winning series from turning the season around.
The Three Stooges are mumbling around.
Look for Wheeler to be traded before the weekend. Fred doesn’t want to pay his early July payroll to him.
Blah blah blah blah garbage from the troll.
“ . . . it stands to reason that the Mets’ front office wouldn’t hang up on callers inquiring on Wheeler.”
Correct, even if it’s a collect call. Anyone who expects to “buy low” on Wheeler is also expecting that he will not only be as good as before TJ surgery but better. Take a look at his bb-ref page and tell me in which season he was actually good. Wheeler isn’t being held back by a bad Mets team, he’s one of the reasons the Mets are bad. If the Mets are able to convert Wheeler into anything of value it will be the new management triumvirate’s first success.
11-11 with a 3.54 over 32 starts is a good season as a starter. Every team in baseball would take that.
“11-11 with a 3.54 over 32 starts is a good season as a starter.”
Really? He was worth 0.9 WAR that year after 32 starts. How much do you expect other teams to offer for him?
He was worth 2.6 fWAR that year…pretty solid
Every mediocre team would take that Carlos. Problem is that mediocre teams are not Buyer’s at this time of year.
Who said the famous quote, “We finished in last place with you and we can finish in last place without you”?
Average teams still need league average starters. If Wheeler stays on the field he can likely clear that bar. A team like the Twins ought to be all over him. Milwaukee too.
Hey flaw—The Three Stooges” cannot possibly achieve success. Everyone knows that they are desperate and will take advantage, as be the trio is Abbott and Costello (aka Mutt and Jeff) who’s ignorance and fragile egos will supersede smart decisions.
Remember that Sandy got his job to keep Abbott and Costello from totally messing up the team during the Maddoff crisis.
Now that they have money buried in their
deep in their pockets they could behave even worse.
“Hey Flaw—The Three Stooges” (sic) cannot possibly achieve success.”
Certainly hope not as any Mets success would come at the expense of the Nationals. Wouldn’t you be better off trolling Mets fans with this.
“Now that they have money buried in their deep in their pockets they could behave even worse.” (sic)
While you’re at it, read Howard Megdal’s short book about Wilpon and the Mets. When you do decide to troll actual Mets fans it’d be helpful if you weren’t so ignorant about the Mets situation.
“Remember that Sandy got his job to keep . . . From totally messing up the team during the Madoff crisis.”
I don’t need the reminder. Been saying as much since the day SA was hired. Troll better, mikeyank. And beware your new bestie, some folks is not what they appear.
Hey Flaw.. do you realize that the more you post the more evident it is that your limited perspective is induced from strain of your loyalties?
Reading a short book about the Wilpon’s is at the bottom of my agenda, along with watching Day Time soap operas. The only reason that I’m aware of the Mets pathetic plight is that it spills into the sports pages.
I’m happy that you are so well educated about the Mets, and further glad that you are aware that I am not. Spending time supporting a team that is worthy makes me happy. Mind you, I started watching the Yankees at the end of the Mick’s career and I am proud to have stuck with them through thin. However the Mets ineptitude over 50+ years should be a cause to take a step back. Ok—they won two World Series however it’s been 30+ years. Even the Red Sox, Astro’s and Cubbies have won. And please don’t talk about ‘15–measurement of success in this sport are WS championships, not WS losers.
If you’ve been saying it from Day One then perhaps it’s time to evaluate what time you spend your time supporting. It’s not getting better and the past 2.5 seasons are evidence that it is getting WORSE.
You should start looking South in the turnpike for a real baseball team. There’s no opportunity at Yankee Stadium for belligerent Mets fans to convert unless they start a 4 year program beginning in single A.
“Spending time supporting a team that is worthy makes me happy.”
But you don’t do that, aren’t doing that now. You spend much/most of your time trolling Mets fans for some bizarre reason. Usually Yanqui fans—of which I was one for many years—have better things to do than bother with trolling Mets fans. It’s like trolling Orioles or Rays fans, you should be above that. Not sure why you don’t see that your obnoxious trolling on Mets threads makes Yankees fans look bad just as BigPapi4eva made Sox fans look bad (as was intended), wonder if site admins have ever compared your IP with BigPapi’s?
“I started watching the Yankees at the end of the Mick’s career.”
A few years earlier for me. Have a specific memory of Mantle being driven around the stadium on MM day when he retired. As you know, for many years Yankees and Mets games were all one could see in NY. Even though I don’t regularly root for either team now I do follow both.
“The Mets ineptitude over 50+ years should be a cause to take a step back.”
What part of “I’m a Nats fan” is unclear to you? If you must give in to your inner troll do it to an actual Mets fan.
“And please don’t talk about ‘15 . . . “
Must really bother you, mikeyank. Most at this site recognize your trolling and ignore you. You can’t get a rise out of an actual Mets fan so you’re trying to get one out of me.
“You should start looking South in the turnpike (sic) for a real baseball team. “
Already did so. Started following the Nats when the hired Davey Johnson, been a fan since. Now troll me about the Nats?
“ . . . the more evident it is that your limited perspective is induced from strain of your loyalties.?”
How so? And be specific. Willing to consider the possibility if you can make a decent case for it. Or were you just trolling again. Kinda odd that you would A) criticize me for my “limited perspective” and B) brag about being ignorant in consecutive paragraphs. Whatever floats your dingy.
He’s been a solid #3 when healthy with ace upside. That’s perfectly cromulent.
He’s worth a teams top 5 blocked prospect.
Lofl
Frazier for Wheeler’s a win on both sides
There must be more trade rumors for Zack Wheeler on this site than for any other pitcher in MLB. The entire time – what 16 months? – that he was recovering from Tommy John surgery he was a feature on this site. There had to have been ten pieces on Wheeler as the center piece to Detroit for Cespedes ( deal dragged forever until the Mets gave up Fulmer instead).
Zack Wheeler is at best an MLB mediocrity. I have never seen a player of his “abilities” get so much trade rumor attention.
Wonder what the Mets’ “3 headed monster” GM’s will get for him. Still won trade, trading Beltran — straight-up– for Wheeler. !
I’ll give him David Bote and Luke Farrell for him.
No Rave reviews for Wheeler but maybe one day.
Ok I’ll say it. The Yankees can’t get DeGrom or Syndegard. For all the talk about their great system they have three top 100 prospects like 38, 43 and 60. How does that get it done. They don’t want to give up Torres? Huh? For one of the best pitchers in baseball. Move on. It’ll never happen nor should it’s without Torres.
30 years old and under team control for 3 more years
Every year, he loses trade-value (methinks)
And you risk injury? (pitcher) Keep let emotions cloud your judgement, how you do business. Hope Mets get less than 3 top-100 prospects. Going nowhere, baby.
Amazin’ how much Mets’ fans are in denial
Torres, Andujar, etc. to start deGrom trade talks..? Because other NY team? LMAO
Edit: under control for 2 more years after this one
DeGrom is so dang good, it’s hard to know what his value is since these types of players rarely get traded.
“Torres, Andujar, etc. to start deGrom trade talks….”
No, obviously that isn’t going to happen. The reason teams have scouting and player development departments is so that, every now and then, they can solve a problem by plugging in a rookie like Andujar or Torres.
Torres is the jewel of the Chapman trade, he isn’t going anywhere. In fact, get ready for it, Gleyber Torres will be the Yankee SS before too long. Perhaps a decent but young MiLB prospect for deGrom but nobody who is a necessary part of the current team. It’s like starting a trade with “Severino plus… “= not happening, no matter the return or the plus.
Hope you’re having a good one, x.
Hey Tony—with your team now sporting the least number of wins in the NL it is not in a position of strength. Taking into account the 11-1 start, since then they have played the WORST baseball in the MLB.
The Yankees will NOT trade a 2B who after two months is showing All Star performance as a 21 year old. The Yankees have 6 more years of control.
You’ve got as good a chance at getting him as trading for Machado who signs an extension before the deal is signed.
For everyone’s sake, please don’t drive on the holiday weekend. You have lost touch with reality and need medical help to treat a chemical imbalance.
How is it that only you know all about the Mets while still being an avid yankee fan? And how is it that everyone on this is so dumb and so medically imbalanced and only you are right in the head. Amazing. That 55 at the end of your name. Is that an age? Birth year? IQ? I hope IQ cuz then there is a reason, but if that’s an age related 55, man, that’s sad!
Oh tank—you add such insight here. Perhaps your heavy meds have prevented you from remembering my stated point? I’ve said it dozens of times.
There was a Golden Age in NY baseball, that lasted until the Giants and Dodgers left town. Each of the teams was not always great, and had there share of disappointments, however the rivalry produced great competition for New Yorkers to enjoy.
The Mets cannot be compared to either one of their teams. They contribute ZERO to rekindling this idea. I’ve already started laughing in anticipation of your defense about the Subway WS—which the Mets were blown out of.
I’m sorry for you TANK that you prefer and support a team who’s owners simply don’t care nor are committed to support with the consistent investment and good management.
Now the Yankees have had their ups and downs however NOT the long winded hopelessness.
Condoning this for you &/or your cohorts is one thing. However supporting them financially is akin to promoting “say no to drugs” in your community and at the same time copping drugs from your local pusher.
“ . . . the Yankees have had their ups and downs however NOT the long winded hopelessness.”
Since the Mets joined MLB the longest playoff drought by either team was from 1981-1995. Can you guess which team that was, mikeyank?
Still have a very clear memory of the Stump Merrill/Bucky Dent years. Those were not good times by any measure.
Nice change of subject.
C-H-A-M-P-I-O-N-S-H-I-P-S
That is as World Series Championships, not we almost were real champs.
1986-2018
How many is that?
And your current team continues to sink…
even your big mouth cant correct 11-1 start, to worst team in the NL since Game 13.
“even your big mouth cant correct 11-1 start . . . “
Poor troll. Can’t get a response from a Mets fan so you resort to trolling a Nats fan with anti-Mets posts. What sort of fan spends his time trolling his rivals? That’s bush league.
Starting to occur to me that this may be your real agenda. You aren’t a real Yankee fan, you’re a performance troll, pretending to be an obnoxious Yankee fan with the intent of inducing others to hate the Yankees. Non-Yankee fans view you the same way non-Sox fans viewed BigPapi4ever. Still like to see an IP check. Different teams but same approach, same voice.
I just love that that idiot spent that much time with that response hahaha Mike yank you crack me up. Get a life man.
Yeah have fun watching the Astros in the World Series. You guys need another top of the rotation guy to go with Severino. That’s playoff baseball. Also, the Mets record has nothing to do with this. They suck but you guys need a top guy. Gray is not the guy.
This man has been an MLB prospect for 26 years
Trade Familia, give the closer job to Wheeler
That would actually be an interesting idea, but not worth it now. Would have been cool with that leading into the year. Was actually hoping for that with him or Harvey this winter and spring. But now u either extend him or trade him. The other two I guess as much as it stinks have to be traded. I still think there is a way of keeping degrom long term and trading Noah and still getting not only prospects but not making a rebuild last 5 years.
Would like the braves to take a shot on a hometown kid that still has a lot of potential. I use to play with Wheeler, kid can pitch. Injuries are his only downfall. If the braves can get him for a mid lvl top 30 prospect, I think we should pull the trigger. I’m sure cash or a few other players would be needed. But there is a general starting point. TT in double A might be a good option