The Mets are open to a reunion with Zack Wheeler, who is an unrestricted free agent. Here's the latest...
Dec. 4, 2:21 PM:
SNY's Andy Martino confirmed 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.
According to ESPN's Jeff Passan, Wheeler's deal is five years and worth more than $100 million.
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.
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.
SNY's Andy Martino notes that between the Reds' and White Sox' strong interest and a $100 million-plus offer already on the table, Wheeler's market is exceeding where the Yankees appear willing to go.
Dec. 3, 1:59 PM:
The White Sox have made Wheeler their top pitching target, reports Jon Heyman, who adds that there is "no belief" that the Sox are in on Gerrit Cole, Stephen Strasburg, or Madison Bumgarner.
Aside from the White Sox, the 29-year-old Wheeler -- who is attached to a qualifying offer -- has been linked to the Twins, Rangers, 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.
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.
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. 30, 4:11 PM:
A front office executive predicted that Wheeler could command a five-year contract worth between $100-110 million, The Athletic's Dan Hayes reported.
Even with other big-name starting pitchers available via free agency, it's been reported at length that there is a huge market for Wheeler this offseason. While he may be in the second tier of starters, as Hayes says, a deal like the one predicted would be larger than similar free agent pitchers have previously received.
Both Wheeler and Nathan Eovaldi are 29 years old, recovered from Tommy John surgery and bounced back with productive years heading into free agency. The Red Sox rewarded Eovaldi with a four-year, $68 million dollar deal last offseason, but the right-hander battled injuries and ineffectiveness throughout the season, making just 23 appearances (12 starts) and pitching to a 5.99 ERA. Time will tell if teams are willing to make the same gamble on Wheeler, but it appears they aren't expected to be deterred.
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 the free-agent right-hander. With the Twins, Wheeler would fit as a solid mid-rotation compliment to Jose Berrios and Jake Odorizzi.
Nov. 22, 8:23 PM:
According to MLB Network's Jon Heyman, there is a "huge market" for Wheeler.
Heyman mentioned the White Sox and Twins among teams expected to be in on adding Wheeler's services. SNY's Andy Martino has previously reported that the White Sox would pursue Wheeler after making one of the first big splashes in free agency with the addition of Yasmani Grandal.
Heyman also noted that Wheeler may be willing to "circle back" to the Mets after receiving other offers, though the Mets may be more inclined to spread their available money around to fill more positions of need.
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, an ESPN sports radio affiliate from Minneapolis-St. Paul.
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.
