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Breaking down the 5 most likely landing spots for Zack Wheeler

By Joshua Sadlock

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - AUGUST 01: Starting pitcher Zack Wheeler #45 of the New York Mets delivers the ball against the Chicago White Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field on August 01, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - AUGUST 01: Starting pitcher Zack Wheeler #45 of the New York Mets delivers the ball against the Chicago White Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field on August 01, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /
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WASHINGTON, DC – SEPTEMBER 04: Starting pitcher Zack Wheeler #45 of the New York Mets throws to a Washington Nationals batter in the first inning at Nationals Park on September 04, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – SEPTEMBER 04: Starting pitcher Zack Wheeler #45 of the New York Mets throws to a Washington Nationals batter in the first inning at Nationals Park on September 04, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

2. New York Yankees

The Yankees have not been shy about expressing their desire to sign Gerrit Cole, but his former teammates believed he preferred to go home to California. Sure, the Yankees have the money to make him a record-breaking offer, but New York is on the opposite side of the country and a market that players must have a specific desire to play in. If Cole just doesn’t want to spend the remainder of his best years in New York, then it won’t matter how much money the Yankees offer him.

It’s hard to pick apart the Yankees roster too much this offseason as they won 103 games last season and were never seriously challenged in the AL East. That being said, the Astros are still the favorites to win the AL pennant because the league can’t actually affect their current roster with sanctions over their sign stealing. The Yankees need to find at least one starting pitcher who can match up with Justin Verlander and Zack Greinke. A full season from Luis Severino will help, but he can’t do it alone.

Wheeler has already spent his entire MLB career in New York and has dealt with the high expectations that come with being a top prospect acquired in a big trade. His power arsenal profiles well for success in the high-powered AL East. Wheeler has allowed only 0.9 home runs per nine in his career and had a 3.48 FIP last season.

New York can be a difficult place for any pitcher to thrive, but Wheeler has shown he can handle it. The Yankees need to bolster their rotation this offseason, but there is only one surefire ace available. Wheeler will become the top fallback option for all interested parties that miss out on Cole. Of those teams, the Yankees have the biggest need to sign a pitcher and the cash to make sure they get their man.

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