According to Zach Braziller of the New York Post, New York Mets right-hander, Zack Wheeler has shown initial interest in a reunion with the Mets if he is indeed dealt before the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline. Wheeler, 29, is set to become a free agent at the end of the season.
“Yeah, of course [I’d come back to New York]. I just like the organization, I like the team, [and] I like the people who are a part of it,” Wheeler said. “I love playing in New York, the fans and everything [is] great. It’s a fun place to play.”
After battling injuries, missing over two full seasons in the process, the former first-round draft pick (Giants, 2009) enjoyed a healthy, productive 2018 campaign, including an elite second half (1.68 ERA, 2.53 FIP, 0.81 WHIP, 8.76 K/9, 1.80 BB/9 over his final 75 innings pitched).
This season, the 29-year-old’s biggest foe has been inconsistency. After pitching to a 6.35 ERA over his first four starts (22.2 innings), Wheeler owned a 2.67 ERA over his next four outings before his six-run, 11-hit implosion in Washington on May 16.
From there, Wheels carried a 5.08 ERA from May 17 through June 17 (five runs on 10 hits; 12-3 loss to Atlanta). Since then, Wheeler’s pitched to a 1.86 ERA with 20 strikeouts, four walks, and a .182/.229/.242 slash line against over his last 19.1 innings (three starts).
If the longtime Mets hurler is indeed on his way out of town, he’s certainly done a great job of boosting his trade value over the last few weeks.
Hopefully, Mets general manager Brodie Van Wagenen can win on both ends of this deal, recouping some assets this summer and making a winning push for Wheeler in the offseason.
