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MLB Trade Deadline 2019: 5 players the Mets should trade

By Joshua Sadlock

PHILADELPHIA, PA - JUNE 27: Zack Wheeler #45 of the New York Mets throws a pitch during a game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on June 27, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Phillies won 6-3. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - JUNE 27: Zack Wheeler #45 of the New York Mets throws a pitch during a game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on June 27, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Phillies won 6-3. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – JUNE 27: Zack Wheeler #45 of the New York Mets throws a pitch during a game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on June 27, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Phillies won 6-3. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – JUNE 27: Zack Wheeler #45 of the New York Mets throws a pitch during a game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on June 27, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Phillies won 6-3. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images) /

3. Zack Wheeler

Since acquiring him from the San Francisco Giants for Carlos Beltran, right-hander Zack Wheeler has been one of the most beguiling pitchers in a long line of them for the Mets. After making his MLB debut shortly after turning 23, Wheeler had immediate success. He was 18-16 with a 3.50 ERA in his first 49 starts in 2013 and 2014. Since that strong debut, Wheeler has been beset by injuries and has not been able to string together a consistent run of dominance.

Tommy John surgery, biceps tendinitis and a stress reaction in his right forearm effectively kept Wheeler out for all of 2015 through 2017. He made only 17 starts in three seasons and was 3-7 with a 5.21 ERA in 2017 when he was briefly able to get back on the mound. Wheeler was finally fully healthy in 2018 and managed to make 29 strong starts. He was 12-7 with a 3.31 ERA and allowed the lowest percentage of hard-hit balls in the Major Leagues.

It has been a long, bumpy ride for Wheeler with the Mets, but he is finally set to hit free agency at the end of the year. The 29-year-old hasn’t fully managed to replicate his strong 2018 effort, but is still an intriguing trade chip for any contender looking for a pitching boost. Wheeler is 6-6 this year with a 4.67 ERA, but has a much better 3.67 FIP and is striking out a career-best 9.8 per-nine.

Of course, it’s never easy for the Mets, as Wheeler is currently on the Injured List with shoulder fatigue. He has begun throwing off the mound again, but has not made a start since allowing six runs in five innings on July 7. The Mets will still be able to auction Wheeler off, but he needs to return to action before the trade deadline if they hope to get anything close to fair value.

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