Zack Wheeler’s rise will be rewarded shortly — and handsomely.
Two industry sources told The Post that Wheeler, who displayed his considerable upside by posting strong 2018 and 2019 seasons with the Mets after overcoming multiple injuries, would likely decide on his future no later than the end of next week’s winter meetings. The 29-year-old right-hander even could determine his next employer in the next few days, one of those sources said.
When presented with a story in The Athletic that Wheeler is in play for a nine-figure payday and could actually exceed $100 million, one person involved for this player described that number as being in “the right ballpark.”
The White Sox, Reds, Twins and Rangers are among the many clubs whose interest in Wheeler has been reported. While the Yankees tried to acquire Wheeler from the Mets last season, they are currently engaged with Gerrit Cole and Stephen Strasburg, the two free-agent pitchers who will earn more than Wheeler. The Mets, who acquired Wheeler from the Giants for Carlos Beltran in a 2011 trade, appear to be focusing on other areas of their roster. They will, however, earn an extra selection (at the start of the third round) in next year’s amateur draft if Wheeler signs elsewhere because he turned down their qualifying offer of a one-year, $17.8 million contract.
Wheeler appears likely to get a five-year deal. After missing all of 2015 and 2016 due to Tommy John surgery on his right elbow and throwing just 86 ¹/₃ innings to a 5.21 ERA in 2017, he combined for a 3.65 ERA in 60 starts totaling 377 ²/₃ innings these past two seasons.
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