Wheeler’s Market is Red Hot 

According to Jon Heyman of MLB Network, it is very possible that Zack Wheeler signs a contract before the Winter Meetings begin this month. A deal is expected to be for over $100 million Heyman also notes that the White Sox, Twins, Rangers, “and others” are involved right now.

Buster Olney of ESPN reported on Wednesday that the top bidders right now are the Phillies.

Meanwhile, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com is reporting that Zack Wheeler is also being pursued by the Reds and that Wheeler hopes to reach a deal before the Winter Meetings. It is unclear whether the Mets are still involved in the Wheeler sweepstakes or not.

Brewers Working The Phones 

According to Robert Murray of the Athletic, the Brewers have been listening to offers on second baseman Keston Hiura, but a deal remains “highly unlikely.” Murray said that one team in contact with the Brewers noted it would take “a sh*t ton” to complete a deal.

Hiura, 23, made his debut for the Brewers last season after being one of the top infield prospects in baseball entering the season. He hit .289/.357/.536 with 19 home runs and 49 RBI.

As for Josh Hader, Buster Olney of ESPN reports that Hader believes he will be a Brewer to begin the 2020 campaign. Hader’s name came up in trade talks earlier in the week, and reports connected him to the Mets and several other teams. Hader won National League Reliever of the Year last month.

Yankees Zeroing In On Pitching

According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the Yankees have tabbed Gerrit Cole as their top target in free agency and they met with him on Tuesday. The Yankees have also shown serious interest in Stephen Strasburg, but not as intense as their interest in Cole.

Both are now World Series Champions, and both are set to shatter records on the open market in terms of contracts awarded to starting pitchers. Both pitchers are set to meet with other teams soon before making decisions. Timetables on decisions from each pitcher are not yet known.

Dodgers Hold Important Meetings

The Dodgers met with free agent starting pitcher Stephen Strasburg according to Jorge Castillo of the Los Angeles Times. They’ve also met with top position player free agent, Anthony Rendon per Castillo.

Dodgers are expected to sign a starter with Rich Hill and Hyun-Jin Ryu both free agents. Rendon would give the Dodgers a big right-handed bat in the order and move Justin Turner to the right side of the infield.

Blue Jays Serious About Adding Starter

Toronto has interest in Ryu and fellow left-handed starting free agent Dallas Keuchel according to Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet. Ben also reports they are looking into right-handed starter Josh Lindblom.

The Blue Jays current projected rotation is Chase Anderson, Matt Shoemaker, Ryan Borucki, Trent Thornton, and Jacob Waguespack.