Fansided

5 big free agents the Yankees will chase this winter

By Rucker Haringey

WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 14: Washington Nationals starting pitcher Stephen Strasburg (37) laughs after not getting a called strike three in the seventh inning of Game Three of the NLCS between the Washington Nationals and the St. Louis Cardinals at Nationals Park. (Photo by Jonathan Newton/The Washington Post via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 14: Washington Nationals starting pitcher Stephen Strasburg (37) laughs after not getting a called strike three in the seventh inning of Game Three of the NLCS between the Washington Nationals and the St. Louis Cardinals at Nationals Park. (Photo by Jonathan Newton/The Washington Post via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 5
Next
NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 15: Pitcher Zack Wheeler #45 of the New York Mets in action against the Los Angeles Dodgers during of a game at Citi Field on September 15, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 15: Pitcher Zack Wheeler #45 of the New York Mets in action against the Los Angeles Dodgers during of a game at Citi Field on September 15, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /

4. Zack Wheeler

Wheeler doesn’t have the big name of either Jacob de Grom or Noah Syndergaard, but that doesn’t change the reality that he was excellent for the Mets in 2019. The Yankees would love to add a 29-year-old starter with Wheeler’s mix of talent and experience to their rotation.

Don’t let Wheeler’s mediocre win/loss record of 11-8 from last season fool you, he threw the ball like a legitimate No. 2 starter. Posting a WAR of 4.1 in just over 195 innings pitched is a much better indication of the sort of boost he can be for the Yankees.

Wheeler also gets extra credit for proving he can handle the pressure that comes along with pitching in the bright lights of New York City. Admittedly, moving from Shea Stadium to Yankee Stadium does up the pressure on a player, but Wheeler carries fewer question marks than a free agent who’s never pitched anywhere in New York.

Lastly, the way Wheeler attacks hitters will also make him extremely attractive to the team’s front office. He pitches off an electric fastball that allows him to strike out a high percentage of opponents. That’s an added bonus when you consider the tight confines the Yankees play in at home. Wheeler is going to get a bigger offer than most people expect in free agency, don’t be surprised if it comes from Cashman.

Home/New York Yankees