The Mets and Yankees haven’t agreed to a player-for-player trade since the Mike Stanton-for-Felix Heredia swap in December 2004, but that streak was almost broken in blockbuster fashion during Brodie Van Wagenen’s two-year stint as the Mets’ general manager. The two New York teams came very close to a July 2019 swap that would have sent Zack Wheeler to the Bronx, according to SNY’s Andy Martino, except an unknown player also involved in the trade failed a medical exam.
The Yankees were known to be one of the teams interested in Wheeler heading into the deadline, though the Bronx Bombers reportedly had even more interest in another Mets hurler in Noah Syndergaard. Beyond those two members of the Mets rotation, the Yankees cast a wide net looking for rotation help at the deadline but didn’t come away with any significant trades whatsoever, whether it be for pitchers or hitters.
The Mets also held off on dealing Wheeler to anyone, as the right-hander finished off a strong season and then left Queens that winter for a five-year, $118MM free agent contract with the Phillies. Interestingly, the Yankees were also linked to Wheeler’s free agent market, but instead pivoted to make an even bigger splash by signing Gerrit Cole to a nine-year, $324MM pact — still the largest contract ever given to a pitcher in total dollars.
Beyond the sheer rarity of the two Big Apple rivals swinging such a notable trade, the Wheeler deal would have created a big ripple effect across recent baseball history. For starters, adding Wheeler might have been the final piece the Yankees needed for a championship, as the club overcame a ton of injuries to win 103 games before eventually falling to the Astros in the ALCS.
If Wheeler had been a key cog in a 28th Yankees World Series title, perhaps the Bombers would’ve been more inclined to retain their new hero in free agency, rather than sign Cole. Even if keeping Wheeler might’ve cost more than $118MM in this scenario, his deal would’ve been worth much less than Cole’s contract, thus giving the Yankees extra money to spend on other needs that offseason.
It isn’t known what the Yankees would’ve had to have given up to land Wheeler from the Mets, though since he was a free agent that winter, it wouldn’t have been an overwhelming trade package for just two-plus months of the righty’s services. However, it was clearly enticing enough for Van Wagenen to pull the trigger had everything worked out on the medical front, and it was enough to outbid the many other teams known to be circling Wheeler in the lead-up to July 31, 2019. The Mets could have kept those Yankees trade pieces as a way of restocking the farm system after the Marcus Stroman deal with the Blue Jays that same deadline, or perhaps looked to flip the prospects in a future trade for more immediate help.
A Wheeler trade would have impacted his free agency in another fashion, as he would’ve been been ineligible to receive a qualifying offer due to the midseason deal. While it didn’t seem like the QO draft compensation had much impact on Wheeler’s market, the lack of a qualifying offer might have resulted in one or two extra teams getting involved, which could have resulted in a few extra millions in Wheeler’s bank account.
The qualifying offer also must have factored into the Mets’ decision-making about the proposed Wheeler deal. The Yankees must have offered something Van Wagenen judged as being more valuable than the compensatory pick the Mets were set to receive for Wheeler. This ended up being the 69th overall pick in the 2020 draft, which the Mets used on high school outfield prospect Isaiah Greene. With his first pro season now in the books, the 20-year-old Greene hit a very solid .289/.421/.368 over 191 plate appearances…
…for the Guardians’ rookie ball affiliate. This is another interesting branch in the Zack Wheeler/Yankees multiverse, as Greene was part of the four-player package (along with Amed Rosario, Andres Gimenez, and prospect Josh Wolf) sent to the Guardians in exchange for Francisco Lindor and Carlos Carrasco — a blockbuster trade completed exactly one year ago today. While Greene wasn’t the centerpiece of that deal from Cleveland’s perspective, it could be that the two sides might have agreed on another prospect as the fourth player. Or, maybe that one little change makes the whole trade fall apart, and Cleveland could have opted for another team’s offer for Lindor and/or Carrasco.
I do wonder if the change in ownership in Queens will lead to more deals between the two teams in coming years, particularly with a former Yankee now the Mets GM. The Mets have always resisted. This really comes down to Cohen.
I don’t get why they refuse to trade with each other. They don’t compete in the same league much less the same division. It’s like they care more about fighting over New York headlines than they do fighting over wins.
Considering the massive contract Cole has, the Yankees would have been better off signing Wheeler over Cole. I think Cole is the better pitcher but Zack Wheeler is great. I would take Wheeler and an extra $200 million for my team to utilize over Gerrit Cole any day.
Wheeler was still coming back from TJ (control) and was not nearly as reliable as Cole.
Since 2020, Wheeler has pitched 30 more innings and one more start than Cole and has a lower ERA and FIP, and a higher fWAR and bWAR. In fact, Wheeler tops the majors in innings pitched since 2020. What do you mean by “more reliable”?
Mr Person, that’s very convenient…since Cole was already on the Yankees. Maybe they should just hop in the ol’ time machine, or better yet, they should’ve looked forward in time to see he [would’ve been] more reliable. Great points, outstanding even, given the conversation centered around Wheeler OR Cole and why the Yankees chose Cole for that money.
My bad. I misunderstood your point. You were talking about Wheeler’s prior record, not his record since 2020.
As good as Cole has been, I still believe that Boras played Cashman into bidding against himself and overpaying by a lot. I didn’t like the Cole acquisition at the time, and I still don’t; not with Hal’s approach to finances. I think he’ll let that contract limit future expenditures substantially.
Across the years, there was always some concern with media and fan reaction if one of the teams made a really bad deal and they had to be reminded of it daily for the next decade! I couldn’t imagine them trading promising prospects and have one of them turn into a star. More standard trading, however. shouldn’t be a problem but it bas been. The reluctancy has been more on the Mets side as the Yankees have attempted deals but the Mets at the last second wouldn’t pull the trigger. It was a Wilpon thing who suffered from a bit of an inferiority complex when it came to the Yankees. That’s why I’m wondering if it will change. Cohen’s ego is more than healthy enough not to be concerned and he might even enjoy the extra interest a deal might create.
@Please, HammerDon’t hurt ’em
They compete in the more important arena for business men – the battle for customers in the gate and NY advertising dollars..
@MarlinsFanBase
Nothing enhances the prestige of a franchise more than winning a (legitimate) World Championship. In New York, you get a ticker tape parade down the Canyon of Heroes.
And the Yankees have 27 of those versus the Mets 2. The Yankees have 5 since the Mets last one. The Mets have more championships in all of team sports. The Mets are tied by three younger expansion franchises (Royals, Blue Jay and Marlins) for the most with two.
I think it’s safe to say that the Yankees have taken cared of that….and just want to continue to keep the Mets as the little brother of NY.
@MarlinsFanBase
If that’s the case, why are the Mets supposedly the ones more hesitant to trade across town?
It has seemed to be mutual to me.
But to analyze the Mets side of it, probably they don’t want to be the Yankees’ MiLB system because I imagine the Yankees aren’t offering their prime pieces for the Mets pieces.
And on what basis do you imagine that? Has there been some reporting to that effect?
I can see your point about the Mets being fearful of helping the Yankees.
It’s what the Yankees historically do. When do you see them completely rebuilding or unloading their prime pieces?
What team in baseball unloads their best prospects needlessly? All you seem to be saying is that the Yankees try to achieve equity in their trades. What team doesn’t do that? In reality, Cashman has arguably overpaid in trades more than once in recent years.
Don’t forget NYY and Boston stopped trading pretty much for decades due to a rivalry. Maybe somewhat because of the lopsided Lyle deal, but rivalry was probably most of it.
Would like to see all teams consider each other equals in bettering themselves instead of looking at heated rivalries, such as existed between B-NY for years.
And Alderson.
these retrospectives – especially ones impacting other trades – are always a treat.
It would be interesting to know who the Yankees would have given up for Wheeler. Intriguing to say the least.
Love or hate the Yankees they do a great job at overhyping their prospects.
From what I have seen that appears to be true of virtually all organizations.
It’s certainly true of fan bases who think they have guaranteed future hall of Famers playing A ball.
It’s just plain ignorance, Darryl. Everybody says this about players they don’t even know the names of in this trade. Nonetheless, it would be hilarious to find out it’s some of the same names everyone claims nobody would ever trade for…. It’s independent organizations that rate the prospects, but it’s only valid when it’s their players.
Meanwhile, they are overhyping their players to insane & unrealistic degrees, while their own Ball clubs are advertising to get rid of them, to save a few million bucks, under the auspices of being able to afford the roster when they’re actually just pocketing the extra money.
The Yankees team doesn’t do this, it’s the NY media and some of the fans.
Unless the Yankees are bribing the folks at Baseball America and MLB Pipeline and the scouts whose reports they rely on, how are the Yankees responsible for how their prospects are hyped? What’s the mechanism?
The Yankee GM & Manager have been hyping up 2 minor league SS. Did the same with the CF Flores(I think that’s his name) & they needed a CF too. Same with the Mets. At 21, if Batty was good, why didn’t he get called up with all the injuries and a need at 3B.
Because Baty just got to AA this year?
@Lee Mazzilli for the HOF- a good example for every team to follow, right?
I agree. This is where MLBTR should be reaching out to team staff for answers to come to this post. This would really up their reporting game.
I wonder if Garrett Whitlock was part of the package? He ended up going through Tommy John later in 2019, missing the 2020 season and then getting poached by the Red Sox in the 2020-2021 Rule V draft. Whitlock wouldn’t have been the headliner, but he could have been a secondary piece whose elbow caused the deal to fall apart. Pure speculation on my part but if he was part of the deal, boy has he reeked some havoc on the Yankees organization over the past couple of years. Imagine if the Yankees had decided to protect him? They would have definitely won more than 92 games with him in the pen. As a Sox fan, I hope he is the gift that keeps on giving. Unfortunately, it’s the Red Sox’ turn to get pillaged in the Rule V draft this year. They left a lot of quality players like Durbin Feltman unprotected and they will definitely lose at least 2 prospects in the draft and could very well end up losing 4 once the draft is completed.
I wonder who else the Red Sox talked to before trading Babe Ruth the the Yankees.
CBA negotiations likely to restart soon about time
No kidding. While mlbtraderumors is doing a decent job with putting articles up I want some fresh rumors.
Here’s a wild but unlikely rumor, Angels twitter thinks Correa is going to the Angels because one of his family members tweeted this:
twitter.com/SotoP_23/status/1475260162646568960
No fresh, succulent rumors or leaks other than that 🙁
Makes sense,Angelswant a bat instead of pitching
Maybe the team wants a bat, but I can tell you most fans want more pitching. Angels have plenty of bats now.
Why do reporters here keep referring to Indians teams as Guardians? It’s a very simple formula really: Indians 1915-2021; Guardians 2021 – present. You can’t tell me that Bob Feller, Tris Speaker, Nap Lajoie, Lou Boudreau, Manny Ramirez and Jim Thome were great “Guardians.” So stop the nonsense please.
The Yankees farm system was in even worse shape then than it is now. I have to believe the usual nonsense of Andujar/Frazier would be what was bandied about. How much of a difference would Wheeler have meant to the Yamkees in the postseason is probably minimal
Tris Speaker was a Boston American in 1907, his rookie season. He was so disgusted with the team’s nickname that they were forced to change it to the Red Sox in 1908. He was still not placated enough so he eventually went to Cleveland to play for the team named after the original Americans. A man who had trouble sleeping, he had earlier vowed that he would never play for the Naps. And that’s exactly how it happened because team nicknames are oh so important.
Interesting read. Hope we can get a bunch more stories like this if the millionaires and billionaires can’t get their act together.
if only one of the prospects couldve failed a physical in the Lindor trade…..what a horrible trade for my Mets
if only one of the prospects couldve failed a physical in the Lindros trade…..what a horrible trade by my Flyers
@wright1970
I like the Lindor trade so far.
It was Clint Frazier and Andujar for Wheeler and Noah but ultimately the Yanks decided that was far too much to give.
If it was 2018 you’re probably correct, although I can’t tell if you were trying to be funny and just failed miserably, or if you actually understand how valuable they were at that time.
My hat is off to all you guys at MLBTR.
You are not only helping everyone to survive the lockout, you are bringing the whole program to a new and wonderful level.
I don’t expect I will get as many sarcastic remarks over this post as I usually get with my ultra-serious approach to baseball writing.
And Mark Polishuk, you get a tip of the hat and a deep bow for your work.
Considering Brodie was running things he would have been flecced
Cash wouldn’t part with Mateo or Rutherford or whatever can’t miss was in A ball.
Yanks almost acquire Wheeler, however players unknown.
What’s the point.
Note the name of the website.
Note that no players were mentioned and only the obvious was pointed out. I get it’s a slow news day with the lockout, but the clickbait title can lessen the quality and reputation of a publication or site.
There’s a lot more to the article above, including speculation about the ripple effect that such a trade might have created. I think the author did a good job of expanding on what the potential ramifications might’ve been if the trade had occurred, as well as some actual ramifications when it didn’t happen.
You seem annoyed and disappointed that the identities of the players in the trade weren’t disclosed. I agree that including the word “How” in the headline was misleading. It should’ve read simply: “Hot Stove History: The Yankees Almost Acquired Zack Wheeler From The Mets”
That there was a deal in place initially was news that was worth reporting..
I still think the Giants should’ve held on to him
“Hot Stove History: How The Yankees Almost Acquired Zack Wheeler From The Mets”
How Baseball Fans Dont Give A bleep and just want MLB to get their bleep together and grow up and play Baseball!
STOP trying to change the game and “speed it up”, We like it the way it was. It’s our game, not yours. You just run the bleep. Take surveys from actual fans and see “What We want” and stop making decisions to make lame changes like to phony intentional walk, putting the stupid DH in the NL, time clocks, etc….
We might as well just start playing Nintendo games instead!
Get rid of Inter league play and make it the way it used to be. That was novel in the first season but now it’s just a waste of games!
Some might disagree with me and that’s fine, but why not put stuff like this to vote with the fans instead of just changing what makes Baseball The Greatest game out there without OUR consent just to make changes!
Settle your differences this week and get on with the free agent periods and get spring training on schedule!
I know I’m tired of this bleep, and I’m pretty sure a load of your paying fans besides myself are also tired of it!
Wheeler only would of costed the Yankees money and should of signed him to pair up with Cole. I question more moves by the Yankees they don’t make then the ones they do make
Do you really think you have a greater proprietary interest in the game than the players who hammer out any rule changes in discussions with the owners in the Collective Bargaining Agreement?
MLB isn’t just a game: it’s a business. For the players, it’s a career. I’m certain they don’t propose changes in a vacuum. They must consult focus groups and fan polls in addition to discussing what the players want (like the universal DH that creates jobs and extends careers).
Baseball is losing fans every year, and the fan base is older on average every year. The owners don’t need a crystal ball to see where that’s going. They’re making tons of money, but they’re fearful of a dwindling audience and they’re trying to figure out how to grow a younger fan base. It might be a bummer to you that young people find baseball boring, but it’s something the league can’t afford to ignore.
I still have doubts any of this is true.
They NYMs traded for Stroman, and were still contenders. It’s pretty rare to see contenders trade for someone to increase their chances, and then trade someone away to decrease their chances.
And since the NYY wound up trading for no one, it doesn’t make sense that they felt the need to add an SP in Wheeler, but otherwise didn’t feel like they needed to add an SP?
The only way it might make sense is if Cashman felt he could pull a Cano on BVW.
The rumors would make sense it Florial was the unknown prospect. He had been on the IL for a couple of months back in early 2019 and had shoulder problems in 2018. Pretty sure he had surgery after the 2018 season but I can’t recall for sure. Florial was a top 100 prospect back then with some putting him top 50. He would have been enough to get a Wheeler deal done especially if a lotto ticket or 2 was thrown in. His medicals were probably iffy in 2019 and the Yankees didn’t have anyone else at the time with his pedigree and ceiling to replace in the trade. Makes sense if he was the mystery player.
The Yankees traded Kendall Coleman to the Mets for L.J. Mazzilli back in 2018. That was the last player for player trade the 2 teams agreed on. Neither player amounted to much but it was still a 1 for 1 trade.
I stopped reading at “according to SNY’s Andy Martino”. Andy has no sources and has been pushing these puff pieces for clicks. He did the same dance with Syndergaard. Wheeler has been with the Phillies for two seasons. So this is some time ago yet his “sources” won’t let him know who the injured player was in the deal. It was Florial of the Yankees if you listen to the “rumors”. Of course, somehow Andy could never confirm names several years later. So much for sources. Sounds like the Kennedy assassination.
Wait, the trade would’ve happened “had everything worked out on the medical front?” Is that true or just a misleading sentence? I can’t find where it says that the trade was squashed by medical reports.
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