The Mets expect to get arguably their top trade chip back before the July 31 deadline. Right-hander Zack Wheeler, on the injured list since July 15 with a shoulder impingement, is slated to start Friday against Pittsburgh, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports. Wheeler got through a bullpen session unscathed on Sunday and is “likely” to throw live batting practice Tuesday, according to Puma.
Assuming Wheeler does make it back by the end of the week, he’ll have one opportunity to prove he’s healthy prior to the end-of-month trade cutoff. Wheeler’s arm looked plenty lively over the season’s first few months, but his injury has prevented him from taking a major league mound since July 7. Before then, an array of teams showed reported interest in Wheeler, who stands out as the non-contending Mets’ best impending free agent and one of the most appealing soon-to-be FAs in baseball. The Mets could keep Wheeler and issue him a qualifying offer in the offseason, meaning they’d still get something for his departure, though a healthy version seems more likely to wind up on the move in the next week-plus.
The 29-year-old Wheeler’s just a season removed from serving as one of the NL’s top starters, as he logged a 3.31 ERA/3.25 FIP with 4.2 fWAR/3.9 bWAR in 182 1/3 innings. His output was all the more impressive considering Wheeler barely pitched from 2015-17 after undergoing Tommy John surgery in the first of those years.
Now four years away from his procedure, Wheeler hasn’t enjoyed as much success as he did in 2018. Thus far, Wheeler has pitched to a 4.69 ERA through 119 innings, having seen his HR/9 climb from .69 last season to 1.21 this season. But Wheeler remains among the game’s hardest throwers, and the rest of his numbers are vastly more encouraging than what could be a somewhat deceiving ERA. Wheeler’s 9.83 K/9, 2.57 BB/9 and 3.67 FIP all suggest he’d help a contender down the stretch. It appears he’ll have a chance to make his case Friday.
Please Wheeler pitch ur A$$ off that’s the best way to help the Mets so they can get something for you lol
It also benefits Wheeler to do well also, if I understand it the team that trades for him can’t put a qualifying offer on him so more teams will be interested when he is a free agent.
And it benefits Wheeler from simply getting out of the dysfunctional Mets organization. He could care less about helping them out—under their mismanagement he is lucky getting out before he is completely damaged goods like Matt Harvey.
There will be more scouts than fans at that game
If I was the Mets I would be looking to move Thor & Wheeler
The return for Thor would be a big step in a quick fix rebuild for the Mets
so long as its a haul
Of course
A haul with Brody the agent making the trade?
GM’s will be lined up to take a shot at picking his pockets.
Doubters: see post last fall about Cano Trade. Lol
Mets are not into rebuild.. (Cano trade) .. with Wheeler and Vargas gone after this season, I don’t think they going to trade Thor if they planning to compete next year..
Idk who is more overrated Wheeler or Boyd?
Considering Zack wheeler has posted 3 professional seasons with ERA’s under 3.6 I’m going to say it isn’t him.
Where’s Mike Yank? Yes kids I’m obsessed with him!!! His hatred for the Mets and his ability to troll is unparalleled
Wow. He hasn’t posted in months and he’s still getting the better of you. Lol
Even though his ERA is slightly elevated, his FIP is above average at 3.69 which shows he’s actually a bit better than it appears.
I can’t wait to see the guys that created advanced stats start creating stats for female attractiveness. I’m betting they will let us know how Rosanne Barr, Melissa McCarthy, Leslie Jones, and Conchata Ferrell are all really 10s instead of what the eyeball test tells us they are.
The Mets management team from the Wilpons down is like having Barney Fife win the election for sheriff of Mayberry.
To be fair, the same way people would have to take responsibility for electing Barney Fife as Sheriff of Mayberry, Mets fans have to start taking responsibility for always drinking the Kool-Aid every time the Wilpons, their front office, their PR team, and Mets beat writers serve it.
Matt Harvey, Jacob deGrom, Noah Syndergaard, Steven Matz, and Zack Wheeler. Clearly a “great” pitching staff.
Get your Kool-Aid here…Get your Kool-Aid!
All those playoff wins with Stanton, Yelich, Ozuna, and Realmuto with that “fantastic” offense.
Oh wait.
Talk about Kool-Aid smh
And with all those great prospect acquired for those AllStars and MVPs, they’ve got the top rated system which is the envy of all of baseball and will soon be an NL east juggernaut. Ger yourself a nice tall glass. Cool and refreshing!
It actually is a pretty great starting staff problem is the pen can’t hold its end and Degrom hasn’t gotten run support in over two years
How’s there defense?
Lol