New York Mets: Three free agents that can replace Zack Wheeler

Zack Wheeler appears to be leaving Queens and the New York Mets need a replacement to fill their rotation. Here are three options that they should consider.

The New York Mets enter the 2019 MLB offseason with their biggest free agent being starter Zack Wheeler. He appears to be a very coveted piece on the free-agent market and with no overabundance of pitching options available, his tenure in Queens has seemingly run its course.

Wheeler arrived in New York to an invigorating fervor, as he was slated to be a top prospect, who would stimulate the Mets rebuild- a process that had already been endured for a few seasons. Matt Harvey was the first to arrive, however, and the reception was scintillating.

Therefore, when Wheeler debuted in Atlanta- his home town- the following year, fans were just about expecting a rapid swerve in the Mets fate- which at that time had been little else than gloomy. However, Wheeler did not find the success of Harvey and subsequently Jacob deGrom and Noah Syndergaard.

Wheeler had seemingly been passed by each and every Mets pitching prospect and were out to prove himself in 2015, a year where the Mets had legitimate expectations. A fatal blow was soon dealt to Wheeler’s hopes, as he suffered a ligament tear in his elbow that prevented him from throwing a pitch at the major league level until 2017.

All in all, Wheeler had two mediocre seasons, in which he displayed incremental improvement, and followed it up by not pitching in the subsequent two seasons. A pitiful 2017 and poor start to 2018 surely allowed severe doubt to creep in.

Miraculously to end the 2018 and for most of 2019, Wheeler displayed a presence and authority on the mound unbeknownst prior to this. Even though 2019 had its rough patches, Wheeler routinely demonstrated that he could rev his fastball by any batter and spin a change-up that befuddled a great number of opposing batters.

He is primed to earn a significant upgrade in salary, however, the New York Mets are primed to lose one of their best pitchers after all of that hardship. These five options might not replicate Wheeler’s stats, yet they could potentially fill his spot in the rotation.

2. Tanner Roark

A simple back-up plan to Odorizzi should be Roark, who is not quite the same pitcher yet he boasts most of the same qualities. He is a veteran and would be a more than a serviceable fifth starter, one who does not shut down a team by any means but rather throws a consistent amount of innings.

Unlike Odorizzi, he will probably sport an ERA over four and a WHIP around 1.2-1.3. Despite the uninspiring look of these stats, these are perhaps above average for a fifth starter. What the New York Mets desire more than anything in replacing Wheeler is finding a back of the rotation arm that can deliver a consistent and solid amount of innings.

With his move to Oakland and the American League, Roark’s ERA slightly ballooned, a return to the National League will likely temper this. He is also implicitly familiar with the NL East due to the time he spent with the Washington Nationals.

He can prove to be a far more reliable fifth starter than Jason Vargas– in this scenario, Marcus Stroman would fit into Wheeler’s rotation spot. Roark can definitely provide the length that Vargas simply could not. Also, a 2.0 WAR in 2019 should not be taken lightly.

As with Odorizzi, Roark will be very affordable for the Mets and the compensation will not be a factor here. He should be a top target if Odorizzi does not work out.

1. Madison Bumgarner

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MadBum is currently straddling the line between the top two tiers of starting pitcher free agents. First off, he is not as flashy as most of the top tier arms- mostly wielding 95-mph plus. However, he is a superior pitcher to most of the second-tier pitchers that are available.

He posted over 200 innings once again in 2019, as he had a fairly impressive second half of the season. He is certainly not a perfect option and name recognition would do a lot to reinvigorate the New York Mets fanbase.

However, he is likely too costly for the Wilpons, as they will likely only offer GM Brodie Van Wagenen a limited amount of money to fill multiple holes. Therefore, about $10 million or less will likely be committed to this roster spot, as they still have massive bullpen issues.

Even though this is simply the current state of affairs, the Mets should not be given a pass for not pursuing Gerrit Cole or even resigning Wheeler. Bumgarner is as high as the Mets will aspire and even though that is high, it is not high enough when someone as talented as Cole is in the conversation.

It is extremely unlikely for MadBum to become a fixture in Queens, his place on this list simply represents the lack of the New York Mets aspirations.