The latest New York Mets rumors show just how many teams they are up against in trying to keep Zack Wheeler in Flushing and their interest in adding a big name to the bullpen.
Brodie Van Wagenen has been rather tight-lipped about his plans for this offseason. New York Mets rumors have been pretty quiet thus far, but as we head toward mid-November, leaks are beginning to appear.
First, let’s talk about the status of Zack Wheeler. Mets rumors about him are practically non-existent. Meanwhile, other teams are beginning to show interest in the soon-to-be-former Mets starting pitcher.
Wheeler still has time to accept the qualifying offer the Mets gave him. However, based on the interest around the league in signing him to a multi-year deal, he’d be a fool to accept.
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This doesn’t mean Wheeler is a goner from New York. According to Jon Heyman of MLB Network, Mets rumors suggest the only big league club he has ever known is still interested in a multi-year pact with the righty.
New York is far from the only team pursuing Wheeler. MLB.com’s Jon Morosi reported the Los Angeles Angels, San Diego Padres, and Chicago White Sox are all looking at Wheeler as a possibility. In addition to these clubs, the Houston Astros appear like a favorite from just about every source out there to make a run at inking him to a deal.
Fortunately, Mets rumors for this week aren’t all about subtracting. While they await Wheeler’s decision, the team is scouting the free agent market for relief help.
Per Andy Martino of SNY, former New York Yankees reliever Dellin Betances is viewed by them as an option.
Betances is someone many Mets fans are familiar with because of his years in New York. Since 2014, he was one of the league’s best relievers, occasionally even filling in as the team’s closer. This past season was a lost one for Betances as it included just a single appearance due to injury.
It doesn’t take a brain scientist or a rocket surgeon to know the Mets are in dire need of bullpen help. If healthy again, Betances could surely help them out in this area even if he isn’t quite the All-Star pitcher he was in the past.
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The MLB offseason is still young and these are just the first drips of Mets rumors to spring a leak. Within days, we’ll know more about Wheeler’s future. Betances may take a little while longer, but it would behoove the Mets to act fast on him or any other top-level relievers they want in Flushing next season.