Mets Trade Rumors: Rays have asked about Zack Wheeler

New York Mets trade rumors are in full bloom and the Tampa Bay Rays are the latest to ask about pitcher Zack Wheeler.

Maybe the most dangerous team in baseball behind only the Houston Astros at getting the most from their pitchers, the Tampa Bay Rays seem to know what they’re doing. So, when their name pops up in any New York Mets trade rumors, you better believe they’ve done their homework on the play they are linked to.

According to Mike Puma of the New York Post and his latest round of Mets trade rumors, the Rays have asked about Zack Wheeler.

I’ve asked for plenty of things in my life that I had no intention of actually getting. During the trade deadline and hot stove, there’s plenty of chatter like this. However, if Tampa Bay is serious about making a run this year, Wheeler could be a match.

The Rays risk burning out their pitching staff with how few starting pitchers they actually have. Other than Charlie Morton, those arms are also young. Several have missed time due to injury this year including Tyler Glasnow whom they swiped from the Pittsburgh Pirates in last summer’s Chris Archer trade.

There are certain teams that can frighten a fan base when you hear them mentioned in trade rumors. For me, the Rays are one of them. This doesn’t mean I believe the Mets should answer the phone pretending to be a pizzeria every time the Rays call them up. I do think it’s important Brodie Van Wagenen takes his team before making any move with an organization playing chess on expert level while he’s over in Flushing playing tic tac toe.

Mets trade rumors have focused primarily on Wheeler and his future destination. As the most intriguing part on their roster with an expiring contract, it makes sense why there haven’t been any suitors for Todd Frazier or Jason Vargas just yet. Wheeler going to the IL on Monday may potentially scare off a few organizations. By the time he’s able to return, he may only have a chance to make a single start for the Mets.

Although fearful that the Rays may get Wheeler for a steal, there is something positive to take away from seeing them mentioned in this year’s edition of Mets trade rumors. Their farm system is fantastic. They can afford to give up a good player more than other organizations.

Want your voice heard? Join the Rising Apple team!

Write for us!

What’s more, one of the better trade deadline deals the Mets made in recent years was a swap with Tampa Bay. The 2017 trade that sent Lucas Duda south for Drew Smith looked like a good one for New York until Smith went down with a season-ending injury for the 2019 campaign.