MLB trade rumors: Mets’ Zack Wheeler to Yankees?

Mets right-hander Zack Wheeler could be an option for the Yankees before the July 31, 2018 (7/31/18) non-waiver trade deadline, with general manager Brian Cashman shopping for help for the starting rotation, given the recent struggles of Sonny Gray and Masahiro Tanaka.

If the Yankees and Mets actually come together on a trade for a starting pitcher before the July 31 Major League Baseball trade deadline, two names stand out as game-changing possibilities: Jacob deGrom and Noah Syndergaard.

But another Mets starter could end up as a more realistic trade target for the Bronx Bombers: Zack Wheeler.

Richard Justice of MLB.com connected the dots between Wheeler and a fit with the crosstown Yankees.

Wheeler has healthy for the first time in four years and is pitching as well as he has at any time in his career (3.20 ERA in his past seven starts before Monday, when he allowed three runs over 4 2/3 innings). At 28, he finally may be the guy we expected when he was the sixth pick of the 2009 MLB Draft. Some teams will shy away because of Wheeler’s injury history. Given the lack of available quality starting pitching, he could also be a hot commodity.

Possible fits: Yankees, Brewers, Braves

Wheeler, 28, owns a 4.42 ERA in 17 starts this season. While that ERA doesn’t jump off the charts, Wheeler appears healthy, is throwing hard and sports a FIP (Fielding Independent Pitching) of 3.70. If the Yankees think his stuff will continue to lead to success, a possible upgrade for the stretch run can likely be had without surrendering a haul.

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Wheeler is under team control through the 2019 season and will be arbitration eligible after the 2018 campaign concludes. 

Joe Giglio may be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @JoeGiglioSports. Find NJ.com on Facebook.