Wheeler realistic over possible deal
PITTSBURGH — Zack Wheeler is pragmatic about his place in the baseball universe and the market for his services.
The non-waiver trade deadline is Tuesday at 4 p.m., and the Mets right-hander realizes he could easily be dealt before then. The Mets have received plenty of calls about Wheeler’s availability but are telling interested suitors, according to sources, it will take a top-10 prospect — and possibly more than one — to land him.
Such is the benefit of having a solid rotation option who is peaking in a thin market for starting pitchers.
“You might as well ask for a bunch if there is not much out there because you also have team control through next season,” Wheeler said before Saturday’s 5-0 loss to the Pirates at PNC Park. “I am not an elite guy, but I am decent for what is out there right now.”
The 28-year-old will get the ball Sunday in one last showcase before July 31. Trades can still occur in August, but they become more difficult as a player must first clear waivers.
At first glance, Wheeler’s 4-6 record with a 4.33 ERA is unremarkable, but his recent improvement and sustained velocity on his fastball have turned him into a commodity.
Over the past two months, Wheeler has pitched to a 3.54 ERA while sustaining his 97 mph heat deep into games. It represents the most consistent stretch for Wheeler, who arrived in the majors in 2013 but saw his career sidetracked for 2 ¹/2 years by injuries.
“He is a hard guy to replace,” manager Mickey Callaway said. “That is why if they trade him, it will really have to be worth it, and I think they will do the right thing in that regard.”
From the Mets’ perspective, it would make little sense to head into 2019 with a roster built on pitching and try to contend if Wheeler is not a component of the team. On the flip side, the Mets need to get younger and more athletic with their position players, and Wheeler is among the few players in the organization who can potentially bring such pieces through a trade.
Jacob deGrom and Noah Syndergaard both remain available, but the haul of prospects the Mets would have to receive makes it unlikely either pitcher will be dealt. Steven Matz is deemed another asset who would require a substantial return in a trade.
“Obviously I would rather stay here, but it’s a business,” Wheeler said. “I want to be here, but you [don’t always] get what you want.”
In the past week, Wheeler had watched Jeurys Familia and Asdrubal Cabrera, both of whom are headed to free agency after the season, leave in trades to the Athletics and Phillies, respectively.
Familia’s departure was especially difficult for Wheeler to absorb.
“Me and Familia sort of came up together, ever since we came over here, so it was tough because he is a good guy, a real genuine guy,” Wheeler said.
“When he asks you how your day is going, he actually cares about how your day is going, so that’s tough losing a guy like that. Cabby I think really did a lot for our big league team and he was a good guy, too.”
Wheeler said he has not stopped to consider he might be pitching for the final time in a Mets uniform Sunday.
For now, he is content to stay with the Mets and try to resurrect a franchise that could have a special starting rotation, if nothing else, in 2019.
“We’re all healthy for the most part, and when we get out there and take the ball, it’s tough to beat us,” Wheeler said. “We have got four guys in a row that don’t give other teams a break, so that is always tough on the other hitters.”