The Red Sox and Mets are engaged in preliminary talks regarding New York righty Zack Wheeler, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post. Boston is said to be targeting a rotation addition after deciding to utilize Nathan Eovaldi in the bullpen.
Importantly, there’s no indication that a deal is close. And the Sox are far from alone in pursuit of Wheeler. The Braves, Brewers, and Yankees were all connected to him recently. Andy Martino of SNY.tv suggests that the Cubs are another possibility, though it’s unclear whether the clubs are in contact.
It’s unsurprising to hear tell of a robust slate of possible suitors for a pitcher who figures to be among the top rental arms available. That’s especially true given that Wheeler is earning just under $6MM this season, making him amply affordable for just about any team.
The salary factor is of particular note with regard to the Boston organization. While the club is one of the game’s most consistent spenders and is coming off of the bonanza of a World Series win, it is also walking a financial tightrope this year and doesn’t plan to extend its payroll much further.
It’s also notable to see the Fenway denizens connected at this stage to a top rental piece. The club isn’t exactly in prime position after a ho-hum start to the season. There’s a nine-game gap in the division, which is paced by a Yankees club that seems poised to make more impactful additions, and serious competition even for a Wild Card birth.
What’s most interesting of all here, perhaps, is the potential for a quick and active bidding situation. The Red Sox and Yankees are obviously aware of the implications of one or the other landing a particular player. With the Sox said to be looking to strike a relatively quick deal to bring in rotation help, they could conceivably force the market to move. If the Yanks see Wheeler as their preferred target, they might need to act decisively, setting up an intriguing dynamic involving the club’s chief on-field rival in Boston and its sole market competitor across the way in Queens.
Martino says the Mets “have shifted into a more aggressive sell mode,” which makes sense given their all-but-hopeless spot in the standings (ten games under .500, 13.5 out of the division lead, second-to-worst record in the National League). It may well behoove the team to get the jump on marketing its rental pieces, Wheeler in particular, while other teams try to wait until the last moment. But committing even to a limited sell-off — particularly this early, and especially if it involves the Yankees — would certainly represent a bitter pill for ownership and rookie GM Brodie Van Wagenen.
whyhayzee
This is huge. If they could get 18 out of Wheeler they’d be trucking for sure. Plan the parade.
fletch
Yah I got my seats reserved and they’re in Minny!
spot45
18 what?
GaryWarriorsRedSoxx
Starts ?
Bernie's Dander
The Mets won’t trade with the Yankees. They just won’t. When was the last time they did any trade of significance?
Snake65
While it’s rare the Yankees have a log jam of young major talent they just can’t bring up. So to say give an 1 A list player and 1or 2 B or C types would be fair. The odds meeting in the World Series is none
deweybelongsinthehall
While new Mets’ braintrust includes some with a Sox background, this smells more like a partnership to up the cost to other teams interested in Wheeler or other starters. I just don’t see even DD further gutting the farm for another rental (unless the cost is unexpectedly low).
king beas
If anything that would mean they know the low key guys the Red Sox like a lot which would hurt the Sox
tylerall5
Or just gamesmanship by the Sox to drive the price up and hurt their bitter rivals future
Seaver rules
Send him to Atlanta for Wilson Contreras little bro who is in AA. Kid has a great upside and can possibly be Mets C in 2020 or 2021
jorge78
Low prospects are a gamble…..
fieldsj2
What farm?
whyhayzee
Great arm questionable command. Not sure on this one.
Breezy
I’m surprised we aren’t seeing reports of more teams interested in Minor
hende3165
Rangers are alive and well and may hold on to him, which to me is a huge mistake but we’ll see
Breezy
Yeah but they’re really toeing the line of contender/pretender that I’d figure there would be more apparent interest. But who knows, maybe JDs phone is blowing up behind the scenes
oz10
You trade minor and next year you are looking for a front of the rotation guy. You don’t trade the guy you have been looking for for years.
jorge78
He’s NOT for sale!
Ruben_Tomorrow 2
If only they traded him in the offseason. Wheeler may have peaked last season.
bagofballs
I don’t want any Met. I would take a used bag of balls any day instead
mets1536
Must be an ARROGANT YANKEE FAN
bagofballs
Nope
andremets
Then must just be arrogant.
portopotti
or would take a bag of balls for anyone since that’s his name.
jvent
Wheeler to Boston for Vazquez the Mets need a young Catcher. Or
Wheeler to Milwaukee for Corey Ray the Mets also need a young CF with speed
Bruin1012
Lol
josecanecco
Christian Vazquez is young?
driftcat28 2
Lmao Vasquez won’t get you much
Bruin1012
Get a hell of lot more then a rental pitcher.
andremets
You honestly think Vasquez is all you need for a top rental pitcher on $6 million salary? Good luck with that.
Bernie's Dander
Vazquez is turning into one of the best catchers in the league. He has a reasonable contract for the next several years, too. The Sox aren’t moving him.
Bruin1012
Andremets you haven’t been watching Vasquez this year have you? Yes he would easily get Wheeler to anyone that has been watching but the Red Sox are not trading him period end of story.
jdgoat
I’m a fan of Vazquez but let’s not forget less than a year ago Red Sox Fans themselves deemed that a bad contract. Half a season is a little early to state he’s turning into one of the games best catchers.
Bruin1012
I’m not saying he is one of the games best catchers but three years of team control for a possibly emerging catcher at a very affordable price is easily with more then half a season of Wheeler. That’s all.
Bruin1012
“Worth”
Seaver rules
All prospects are risks but Bostons C Vasquez is a good idea but the pedigree from Contreras brothers is worth the risk even more. Younger kid with less wear and tear behind the dish. Anyway, there is a big chance the Mets will resign Wheeler like they did with Familia and Yanks did with Chapman. Get a C!.
SJKinMD
Seriously- do you really think the Mets could get a contending team’s young starting catcher, who’s having a borderline all-star caliber season, for a rental? Especially since the Red Sox have no adequate replacement for Vazquez. I have to assume you were joking.
If a trade gets made with the Red Sox, it will be for a mid-level prospect or two.
Seaver rules
Boston is barely in the WC if you haven’t looked at the standings. Anyway, they can buy a C in the winter. Its not like Vazquez is a superstar. Ill take the AA kid from Atlanta or LA Dodgers.
Bruin1012
Yup 2 games back is way out of the wild card race. What are you talking do you even look before you post cmon man be better then that. The Red Sox are easily in the Wild Card Race the Red Sox have are not trading there starting catcher and going to be left with Leon as there starter makes no sense. Anyone who has watched Vasquez is seeing a guy that is coming into his own offensively and is solid defensively, fangraphs loves his defense, so yes there is no way he is moved for a rental pitcher.
Steve7seven
He’s the #2 ranked catcher in AL in both WAR and defensive metrics at a controllable cost for 3yrs. Mets would nut to get him for Wheeler.
driftcat28 2
Do the Sox even have anything to give up in a trade? Since Wheeler is a free agent after the season, the Mets are going to want prospects in return, something the Sox do not have
butch779988
Yes they do
Down with OBP
Narrator: they, in fact, had one of the worst minor league systems.
Bernie's Dander
Sox have some interesting young arms in their system now. They also have Duran & Casas looking like legit top 100 prospects, as well.
GMB 883
Vasquez has 14 HR’a at the break and is hitting over 300 while being one of the best defensive catchers in the game. At 28 he is going nowhere. The Sox have some me decent young prospects they could trade. Not one of the best but their farm system has improved in the last couple years and there is talent to be had.
jim stem
Can a player be traded while on the DL? Just curious because the Yankees are pretty loaded right now. Could the Mets eat 75% of Cabo’s contract to return him to the Yankees? The A’s have a lot of young talent too. Not sure about the Red Sox. Cubs also have some strong prospects. Mets are in a strong position to sell this month and, if smart, might be competitive next season already. Syndergaard, Wheeler, Matz, Gsellman, Lugo, Ramos, Frazier, Vargas, Rosario( if they have truly given up on him as a shortstop), Smith and Lagares (for his defense in a package) should all return major league ready pieces.
johnk
I remember the year the bears had Sid Luckman and Johnny Lujack with George Blanda as their kicker, so they traded Bobby Layne to the Tigers. Three HOF QBs and Lujack would have been fourth but for career ending injuries. An old story but a great one!