Mets fans should be livid over why they lost Phillies ace Zack Wheeler
By Rylie Smith
![SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 18: Zack Wheeler #45 of the Philadelphia Phillies pitches during the fifth inning against the San Diego Padres in game one of the National League Championship Series at PETCO Park on October 18, 2022 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 18: Zack Wheeler #45 of the Philadelphia Phillies pitches during the fifth inning against the San Diego Padres in game one of the National League Championship Series at PETCO Park on October 18, 2022 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/29ba1aa14ade0d11c37535f1dbc61c03ea637d45f0351bfe409a8be61296a019.jpg)
The New York Mets cut Zack Wheeler during a time of roster construction, but they may have given up on him far too soon.
The New York Mets cut Zack Wheeler from the team while rebuilding, but they may have given up on him far too soon. Wheeler is now an ace for the Philadelphia Phillies and is fighting to go to the World Series for what would be the second time in his career.
The Mets, however, mistreated him and set a bad precedent with the ace. Mike Puma of the New York Post Tweeted, “Seems like just yesterday the Mets were telling Zack Wheeler to buy his own tickets if he wanted to attend the 2015 postseason games.”
John Harper of SNY TV quote-Tweeted it with a little bit more insight and wrote, “Wheeler was astonished, furious, hurt, you name it, that Mets wouldn’t let him be around the team that post-season as he rehabbed from TJ surgery. Prob didn’t matter because Mets undervalued him but as he once told me, referring to his eventual FA, ‘I won’t forget that.'”
Wheeler was astonished, furious, hurt, you name it, that Mets wouldn't let him be around the team that post-season as he rehabbed from TJ surgery. Prob didn't matter because Mets undervalued him but as he once told me, referring to his eventual FA, "I won't forget that." https://t.co/NcEwCl0njC
— John Harper (@NYNJHarper) October 19, 2022
Wheeler wasn’t the best with the Mets, but he’s pitched incredibly with the Phillies, particularly over the past two seasons. Last season, he produced an ERA of 2.78, batting average against of .215 and WHIP of 1.01. He’s produced nearly the same results this season with an ERA of 2.82, BAA of .221 and WHIP of 1.04.
With Jacob deGrom possibly opting out of his contract and testing the waters as a free agent, the Mets could use another solid pitcher on their roster. However, they drove out Wheeler and ruined their chances of having him back.
The Mets could use another pitcher in the rotation for 2023
deGrom has made it clear from the beginning of the season that he plans to opt-out of his contract, and now with the Mets out of the playoffs, it’s been focused on a lot more.
He missed most of the season with a shoulder injury and returned in early August, and he didn’t waste any time. Over 11 games this season, he never disappointed and produced an ERA of 3.08, BAA of .175 and WHIP of 0.75.
Max Scherzer is another extremely talented pitcher in New York, but aside from him and deGrom, the rotation could use another ace. With deGrom most likely leaving, the rotation could be in trouble in 2023 because it’s unsustainable to fully rely on Scherzer.
Wheeler would be a good addition to the team now that he’s reaching his fullest potential, but that ship has sailed far away.
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