There seems to be an odd debate circulating on Twitter and talk radio on how the New York Mets should go about replacing right-hander Zack Wheeler, who just signed a five-year deal worth $118 million dollars with the Philadelphia Phillies.

For some strange reason that I can’t wrap my brain around, you have a pretty significant swath of the fan base saying that we don’t need to replace Wheeler in terms of quality because essentially they only have to replace former fifth starter Jason Vargas. What?!?!

Apparently the thinking is that when the Mets traded for Marcus Stroman last summer, he was essentially going to be Wheeler’s replacement, done, finished, completed. So you see, based on that convoluted logic Brodie Van Wagenen could rest at ease and sign someone off the scrap heap for our fifth starter next season.

That’s a load of crap.

Zack Wheeler might not be in the upper echelon of major league starting pitchers, but he was certainly among the best in that second tier of starters – the kind you confidently slot in the No. 2 or No. 3 spot of the rotation.

I thought Phillies manager Joe Girardi summed up Wheeler the best this offseason.

“He’s a power pitcher with outstanding breaking stuff. He’s a guy that’s going to give you 32 starts and give you over 200 innings and be really successful. So whoever gets Zack Wheeler is going to be really fortunate.”

Do not let Wheeler’s 3.96 ERA last season fool you. All his other numbers are what you should focus on like his career best 2.3 BB/9 and 9.1 K/9, plus his 1.259 WHIP and 4.1 WAR. His K/BB rate was also a career best.

Wheeler compiled a 44-38 record with a 3.77 ERA in his five seasons with the Mets and over the last two seasons, he has averaged 30 starts and 189 innings with a 3.37 FIP, 1.194 WHIP and a 8.9 K/9.

That’s not chopped liver. And at 29, there’s a pretty good chance that his best seasons are still to come.

No matter how good Marcus Stroman pitches in 2020, it’s difficult to see the Mets improving on their 86 wins by replacing Wheeler with some fifth starter filler from the bargain basement.

If the Mets are truly intent on chasing the Phillies, Braves and Nationals next season, this shallow minded thinking has got to end.

With the incredible news that hedge fund billionaire Steve Cohen is set to gain majority control of the team as soon as this upcoming season, perhaps the nearly two-decades old dysfunction that has plagued this organization is coming to an end.

Perhaps the days of diving into the trash heap to replace key players are finally behind us. Perhaps the New York Mets will finally be counted among the big-spending teams with payrolls that reflect their market. We’ll see…

But as Brodie Van Wagenen and his entourage get ready to hit the Winter Meetings in San Diego next week, the focus should be on replacing Wheeler with one of the few quality options that are still on the market.

My personal choice would be former Dodgers left-hander Hyun-Jin Ryu who is expected to sign a two or three-year deal given his age and previous arm issues.

Ryu, 32, finished second in the NL Cy Young race behind our own Jacob deGrom. He posted an MLB-best 2.32 ERA in 29 starts with a 1.007 WHIP, 1.2 BB/9, 179 ERA+ and 5.1 WAR.

The Mets were already prepared to pay Zack Wheeler $18 million dollars with their qualifying offer, so why not put up a couple of million more and perhaps offer Ryu a two-year deal worth $40 million?

At least kick the tires and feel him out, what do we have to lose?

If the Met really want to send a message to the NL East in 2020, a rotation comprised of deGrom, Ryu, Syndergaard, Stroman and Matz would make quite a statement.

LGM