MLB Free Agents: Risks and rewards for signing Zack Wheeler

Former New York Mets pitcher Zack Wheeler isn’t going to be the most coveted starter on the market, but he is going to get paid handsomely but there are risks and rewards for his services.

The New York Mets will be fine without Zack Wheeler, as it looks like he will be seeking around $100 million in free agency this winter. With Jacob deGrom, Noah Syndergaard, Marcus Stroman, and Steven Matz locked into the rotation, general manager Brodie Van Wagenen isn’t going to feel pressured to make a deal with the former Met.

There are early suitors in the Zack Wheeler sweepstakes, as it has been reported that the Los Angeles Angels, San Diego Padres, and Chicago White Sox are among the clubs that are interested in the right-hander. Jon Heyman reported earlier this week that the Astros met with Wheeler’s agents at the GM meetings.

Although there is still the possibility of Wheeler going back to New York, it is probable he receives more money elsewhere, so here are some of the risks and rewards for teams that want to sign Zack Wheeler.

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Risks

Zack Wheeler has had some shoulder concerns and has been placed on the Injured List three times in the last three seasons. He was put on the shelf in the middle of July with shoulder fatigue, which may have hindered his trade interest with other teams although he did make a start before the deadline to prove his shoulder was well.

If a team were to give him $100 million, which seems like his target number based on recent rumors, then they are going to be betting that Wheeler’s arm is going to hold up.

Rewards

Wheeler has a lot more rewards than he does risks though. His average velocity on three of his best pitches–his fastball, slider, and curveball–are higher than they have ever been in addition to improving his walk rate to just 2.30 in 2019.

I believe he has the potential to turn into a lesser version of Gerrit Cole if he gets to work with the right pitching coach. Cole was an above-average pitcher with the Pittsburgh Pirates, but he didn’t transform into the most dominant starter in the game until he got to work with Astros pitching coach Brent Strom.

He is set up well with the early suitors that include teams that have great mentors like longtime Yankees pitching coach who’s currently with the San Diego Padres, Larry Rothschild, and former New York Mets manager and Indians pitching coach, Mickey Callaway, who is under Joe Maddon with the Los Angeles Angels.

He is only 29, so he isn’t as old as one of his competitors this winter, Madison Bumgarner, and he is set to be getting around a four or five-year deal this winter.