3. Chicago White Sox
New York Mets fans might think that the White Sox aren’t going to contend next season, so why would Zack Wheeler want to go there while he could just accept a one year deal in Queens?
Well, if we are being serious here there’s no way that Wheeler will accept the qualifying offer, and the White Sox are closer than most people think.
Their rotation is very young and better than most people recognize. Michael Kopech and Lucas Giolito are the real deal, but the key for Kopech is he needs to stay healthy. Giolito was in the running for Cy Young at one point this season, as he simplified his delivery and was able to hide the ball for a longer period of time to be more effective in 2019 and will look to carry that over to 2020.
Remember the White Sox missed out on star third baseman Manny Machado last offseason, and the decision-makers weren’t too happy, so I think they are going to want to make a splash and sign someone this year. They have a lot of money to spend from the $280 million or so that they saved up for Machado and I think if Chicago is willing to spend on Wheeler, he will be on board.
But the White Sox aren’t one of the top two suitors in my mind, so here is number 2.