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Boston Red Sox Rumors: Why Zack Wheeler makes sense for Sox

By Tarringo Basile-vaughan

ATLANTA, GA - JUNE 17: Zack Wheeler #45 of the New York Mets pitches in the first inning of an MLB game against the Atlanta Braves at SunTrust Park on June 17, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - JUNE 17: Zack Wheeler #45 of the New York Mets pitches in the first inning of an MLB game against the Atlanta Braves at SunTrust Park on June 17, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) /
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The Boston Red Sox are on a quest to acquire another starting pitcher and New York Mets veteran right-hander Zack Wheeler appears on the radar.

The Boston Red Sox entered the 2019 MLB season with starting pitching being their least concern.  But, with an injury that has sidelined Nathan Eovaldi and bullpen concerns lingering throughout the first half of the season, suddenly a starting pitcher is amongst the team’s need.

As rumors surface, a veteran starter on a non-contending team like New York Mets right-hander Zack Wheeler has surfaced as a top trade candidate.

While the defending World Series champions still have a pretty solid rotation in Chris Sale, David Price, Eduardo Rodriguez and Rick Porcello, the team’s decision to use both Steven Wright and Eovaldi out of the bullpen creates a hole in the middle of the rotation where a pitcher like Wheeler would fit in.

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With a 6-6 record and 4.69 ERA over 19 starts this season with the Mets, Zack Wheeler is certainly not the sexy choice for fans, but he is an affordable and more realistic option for a team that isn’t rich with prospects.

Unless the team is willing to shock Red Sox Nation and all of MLB by trading a player like Mookie Betts for a front-line starter, Wheeler could give the Red Sox much of what Nathan Eovaldi did last season.

Coming off a season in which he went 12-7 with a 3.31 ERA, a change of scenery and playing on a contending team could benefit a hard-throwing pitcher like Wheeler.  Like last season, Red Sox president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski could find value without having to give up too much.

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While talks are rumored to be in the early stages between the Boston Red Sox and New York Mets, let’s examine what Zack Wheeler could add to the rotation.

Again, the right-hander is not a popular option, but his high strike-out rate (striking out 130 batters over 119 innings) and overall 3.88 ERA over his five Major League seasons makes him a solid No. 3 or No. 4 starter for the Red Sox.

Similar to Nathan Eovaldi, Wheeler has the stuff to be dominant at times and won’t cost too much as far as salary for the team to add as he is in the final year of a $5.975 million contract.

As the team has been notorious for pointing out what worked last season, Dombrowski may have the same mindset going into the MLB Trade Deadline.  With other teams reportedly interested in Zack Wheeler, it may come down to how much the Red Sox are willing to give up for a player they hope can give them the same effectiveness Nathan Eovaldi did a year ago.

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In summary, the 29-year-old pitcher makes sense for the Boston Red Sox because of depth he would add to the starting rotation behind Chris Sale and David Price.  If things work out, he could also be a 2020 replacement for Rick Porcello if his contract is not extended.  All in all, It could be a deal to help the team now and potentially down the road.

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