The Yankees are interested in signing free agent starting pitcher Zack Wheeler. Here's the latest...

Dec. 4, 2:21 PM:

SNY's Andy Martino has reported that Wheeler has reached an agreement with the Phillies. Many were getting the feeling that Wheeler's market was heating up to the highest degree before Winter Meetings, and that's exactly what happened as he joins the Mets' NL East rival.

Martino adds that the official deal is five years, worth $118 million over that span. So the Yankees have one top pitching target off the board, and now crunch time begins.

Dec. 4, 8:06 AM:

The Phillies and Reds are "currently seen as top bidders" for Wheeler, reports Buster Olney of ESPN.

Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic adds that in addition to the Phillies and Reds, the White Sox are also "still alive" in the Wheeler sweepstakes, while the Angels have shown "real interest."

The Astros are also in on Wheeler, according to Jon Heyman.

When the offseason began, most estimates pegged Wheeler's eventual contract at around $100 million over five years, but Olney wondered on Wednesday whether a team offering Wheeler a sixth year could be a "separator" when it comes to landing him.

SNY's Andy Martino reported on Wednesday night that between strong interest from the Reds and White Sox and a $100 million-plus offer already on the table, Wheeler's market is exceeding where the Yankees appear willing to go.

Dec. 3, 8:12 PM:

According to MLB.com's Mark Sheldon, the Reds remain in 'close pursuit' of Wheeler's services.

Sheldon also adds that Wheeler is hoping to have a deal done before next week's Winter Meetings, which has been previously reported.

The Reds have been linked to Wheeler throughout this free agency process, and are part of the 'huge market' that the 29-year-old has drawn.

Cincinnati made a big splash on Monday by signing infielder Mike Moustakas to a four-year deal, signalling that they're willing to spend money on this year's free agency class after finishing 2019 with a 75-87 overall record.

Dec. 3, 2:08 PM:

We knew that the White Sox were in the conversation for Wheeler, but according to MLB Network's Jon Heyman, it's much more than that.

Wheeler is actually the Chicago's top pitching target, as there is "no belief they are in on Cole/Strasburg" and Madison Bumgarner is even less on their list. They certainly will have competition for Wheeler, but if he's at the top of the list, that's just another team that could steal away the Yankees chance to get him if they miss out on Cole.

Wheeler could sign before the Winter Meetings, and the White Sox could be that team.

Dec. 3, 8:18 AM:

There is a "growing sense in the industry" that Wheeler will agree to sign with a team before the Winter Meetings begin on Dec. 8 in San Diego, reports Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News.

Grant notes that it is believed Rangers GM Jon Daniels recently met with Wheeler.

While Wheeler weighs his options, he already has at least one $100 million offer in hand and is expected to land a five-year deal for $100 million or more, reports Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.

Aside from the Rangers, the 29-year-old Wheeler -- who is attached to a qualifying offer -- has been linked to the Twins, White Sox, Angels, Padres, Blue Jays, Reds, Yankees, and Astros, and is believed to be willing to "circle back" to the Mets before finalizing an agreement with a potential new team.

If Wheeler comes off the board early and does not sign with the Yankees, they will seemingly have most of their eggs in the Gerrit Cole or Stephen Strasburg basket. New York is expected to meet with both pitchers in the coming days.

Nov. 25, 7:58 PM:

The Twins have Wheeler "very high" on their list of pitching targets, according to MLB Network's Jon Heyman. Heyman also notes that Minnesota is likely not the only team for which that might be true.

Heyman previously reported that there is a "huge market" for Wheeler.

Nov. 22, 8:23 PM:

Wheeler may be willing to "circle back" to the Mets after receiving other offers, reports Jon Heyman, who notes the Mets may be more inclined to spread their money around rather than dedicate a large chunk to Wheeler.

Nov. 21, 12:58 PM:

After coming to terms with Yasmani Grandal, the White Sox will pursue Wheeler, reports SNY's Andy Martino.

Wheeler is also on the Yankees' radar, according to Martino, who adds that they seem "initially lukewarm on him" when compared to Gerrit Cole.

Nov. 20, 11:37 AM:

Wheeler will likely sign before Gerrit Cole and possibly before Stephen Strasburg, reports Jon Morosi of MLB.com, who said that the Angels, Padres, White Sox and Twins are the "leading group right now" for Wheeler.

That Wheeler could sign before Cole isn't a surprise. SNY's Andy Martino recently reported that Cole is expected to wait until at least January to sign and that Strasburg could sign well before that.

Nov. 13, 10:11 PM:

As the GM meetings continue in Scottsdale, Arizona, two more teams appear to have contacted Wheeler in some capacity.

GM Brian Cashman said Wednesday that the Yankees "checked in" on Wheeler in addition to free agent RHPs Gerrit Cole and Stephen Strasburg, as MLB.com's Bryan Hoch reported.

Earlier in the week, the Twins had conversations with Wheeler's camp, according to Darren Wolfson of SKOR North.

The Yankees were among the teams to inquire with the Mets about Wheeler before the MLB trade deadline July 31, as SNY's Andy Martino reported.

Nov. 11, 9:08 PM:

The Astros met with Wheeler's agents at the GM Meetings, according to Jon Heyman.

With Gerrit Cole likely to depart via free agency, Houston could be looking to add a starting pitcher with ace-level potential to blunt the impact of that potential departure.

The Astros have liked Wheeler for a while, and attempted to deal for him (while also engaging on Noah Syndergaard) during the trade deadline last season, according to SNY's Andy Martino.

Nov. 11, 7:47 PM:

Mets GM Brodie Van Wagenen reiterated what he said last week: the Mets will keep having dialogue with Wheeler regarding a potential multiyear contract -- something they engaged his camp on during the season.

"We'll certainly look to have those dicussions as we go forward," Van Wagenen said.

Nov. 4, 12:54 PM:

The Mets have extended the one-year, $17.8 million qualifying offer to Wheeler for 2020, Brodie Van Wagenen said.

Wheeler has until Thursday, Nov. 14 to accept or reject the offer, with him fully expected to reject it and test the open market. If Wheeler rejects the offer as expected and signs elsewhere, the Mets will receive a compensatory pick for the 2020 MLB Draft.

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