The Mets have been expected to trade pending free agent Zack Wheeler before the July 31 trade deadline. Here's the latest...
July 31, 4:03 PM:
The Mets do not have a last minute deal in place and will not be trading Zack Wheeler, reports SNYs Andy Martino.
Also notable at the deadline: Madison Bumgarner, Robbie Ray, and Mike Minor all stayed put.
July 31, 3:23 PM:
The Yankees would like to trade for Wheeler if the Mets will trade him there, but they are "not hopeful" a deal can be reached, reports SNY's Andy Martino.
July 31, 2:47 PM:
Things are "hot and heavy" as far as the Wheeler market goes, with the Rays, Yankees, Astros, and Braves among the teams in pursuit, reports SNY's Andy Martino.
According to Jon Morosi of MLB.com, the Rays have made an offer for Wheeler but a deal is not viewed as close.
July 31, 2:21 PM:
With less than two hours to go until the trade deadline, the Rays are pursuing Wheeler, reports SNY's Andy Martino.
Along with Wheeler, Madison Bumgarner, Robbie Ray, and Mike Minor remain on the starting pitching market.
July 31, 1:51 PM:
Among the starting pitchers they're pursuing, the Astros are most comfortable with the acquisition cost of Wheeler, reports Jon Morosi of MLB.com.
Morosi adds that with Houston's farm system not as deep as it once was, their ability to land Madison Bumgarner or Robbie Ray could be tough without including top prospect Kyle Tucker.
July 31, 12:43 PM:
Other teams dealing with the Mets are not sure which way they're going when it comes to trading Wheeler or keeping him, reports SNY's Andy Martino.
Two sources told Martino there's momentum toward a Wheeler trade, while another is more doubtful they'll end up moving him. Another source says they will add a bullpen piece.
July 31, 11:29 AM:
The Mets are still "fielding calls from nine teams" on Wheeler, reports Joel Sherman of the New York Post, who says Wheeler will be traded if New York's price is met.
The Yankees, Braves, and many others have been expressing interest in Wheeler.
July 30, 9:47 AM:
Late into Monday night, teams pursuing starting pitching said that the Astros were making a strong push to acquire a starting pitcher and pursuing Zack Wheeler, according to SNY's Andy Martino. One rival executive predicted that Wheeler will be traded Tuesday, with the Astros as the destination.
"I fully expect the Astros to get Wheeler," one rival GM told Martino. "And if they don't they'll just pivot to Bauer."
July 30, 9:20 AM:
The Astros are "working hard" to acquire Wheeler, reports Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, who addds that a deal doesn't appear close.
Rosenthal adds that the Athletics and Rays are also showing interest in Wheeler.
SNY's Andy Martino has noted the Braves' interest in Wheeler and reported Tuesday morning that the Mets are trying to use the Marcus Stroman trade in order to get the Yankees to pony up for Wheeler.
July 29, 10:42 PM:
According to SNY's Andy Martino, the expecation is that Zack Wheeler will be traded by the deadline. Multiple contending teams across both leagues seem interested, including the Braves, Astros, and Yankees.
July 29, 4:23 PM:
As things currently stand, the Mets are likelier to trade Wheeler than Noah Syndergaard, according to SNY's Andy Martino. And Bob Nightengale of USA Today said two GMs predicted Wheeler will wind up with the Astros.
July 28, 9:03 PM:
In the wake of the Marcus Stroman trade, SNY's Andy Martino reports that the Mets are still looking to trade Wheeler and Jason Vargas before the trade deadline.
According to Martino, the Mets are willing to package Wheeler with Edwin Diaz in order to increase the return for Wheeler, with the Mets having been pleasantly surprised by the overall level of interest in Diaz.
July 27, 3:57 PM:
SNY's Andy Martino reports that the Mets remain likelier to trade Wheeler than Noah Syndergaard before the July 31 trade deadline.
July 25, 3:51 PM:
The Mets are exploring the possibility of signing Wheeler to a contract extension and trading Noah Syndergaard instead, reports Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.
SNY's Andy Martino has been reporting that the Mets are open to keeping Wheeler (potentially by extending the qualifying offer for the 2020 season) and trading Syndergaard.