Andy Martino, SNY.tv | Twitter |

During the All-Star break, the Yankees and Red Sox were both talking to the Mets about Zack Wheeler, setting up a potential race between division rivals to acquire the pitcher.

Then, when the Sox acquired righty starter Andrew Cashner from Baltimore on Saturday, it left rivals to wonder if that took them out of the Wheeler sweepstakes.

That does turn out to be the case: According to major league sources, Boston is out on Wheeler now. With Cashner on board, the Sox expect to now look for bullpen help.

The Yankees have been interested in Wheeler for weeks, and remain so. They are also targeting Toronto's Marcus Stroman, Cleveland's Trevor Bauer, and Arizona's Robbie Ray, among others.

Sources say that the Mets, historically reluctant to help their crosstown rivals, would move Wheeler to the Bronx if the offer enticed them. Rivals remain skeptical, and will believe it when they actually see it.

With the All-Star break over, the Mets could trade Wheeler at any time.

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