During his introductory press conference on Monday at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Zack Wheeler addressed and jabbed back at New York Mets general manager Brodie Van Wagenen’s comments following the 29-year-old’s signing with the Phils.
From the Winter Meetings in San Diego last week, Van Wagenen offered up an explanation for the Mets seemingly showing no interest in bringing back Wheeler, telling reporters, “the projections we have for Wheeler, both short and long-term, didn’t match up with the market he was able to enjoy”.
That market was the five-year, $118 million deal he received from Philadelphia, of course. And Wheeler’s 2.83 ERA (3.20 FIP, 2.1 fWAR) over 12 second-half starts last season — as well as his off-the-charts advanced metrics — set that market.
Kevin Kernan of the New York Post attended Wheeler’s presser in Philly on Monday, and Wheels — usually the reserved type — was quite direct in his defense.
“I don’t need any more motivation. I already got it,” he said, referring to Van Wagenen’s comments. “But that’s his opinion. Everybody’s entitled to their own opinion but, yeah, that may help me out a little bit.”
“He wasn’t there the whole time. He only knows me from last year. He watched me I guess when he was watching his other players on the team.”
Wheeler expands on his expectations in Philly, and more, in Kernan’s article (link above).
